Newcastle United have been chasing a deal for Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile – but an injury may now rule out a January transfer.
The Express report that Newcastle have held ‘formal discussions’ over a deal to sign defender Badiashile this month.
The big problem now is that Badiashile picked up a ‘muscle injury’ against Nantes at the weekend.
It’s now stated that Newcastle are unlikely to go ahead with a deal for Badiashile after learning about this injury, with the Magpies needing instant impact players.
L’Equipe back up this claim, suggesting that a €40million (£33million) deal is now in danger because of the injury.
Badiashile, 20, is seen as an alternative to Sven Botman. Both are big and athletic defenders, but importantly left-footed too.
Eddie Howe clearly wants a left-footed centre back at Newcastle having seen Nathan Ake thrive for him at Bournemouth.
Badiashile, branded the ‘new Raphael Varane’ in 2020, is considered to have a huge future ahead of him.
This would have been a huge coup for Newcastle, but that injury appears to have come at the worst possible time.
Expect Newcastle to focus their attention elsewhere now, with Badiashile unlikely to join.
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