Newcastle United are still keen on Nabil Fekir and view him as a potential alternative target to Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (11/12, p68) as they claim that Newcastle are ready to switch their attention to Fekir if Maddison can’t be signed.
Maddison has been a key Newcastle target for months now but convincing Leicester to sell hasn’t been easy.
That stance is unlikely to change much in January and Newcastle need to think about alternative targets.
Fekir appears to be one of them even with Newcastle weighing up a new approach for Maddison in January.
The Frenchman has been linked with Newcastle on a number of occasions since their takeover and it looks like the rumour is back again.
Fekir a strange Newcastle alternative for Maddison
It seems fairly clear that Newcastle want to sign a playmaker in 2023.
Eddie Howe seemingly wants a little more guile and creativity in the final third, hence his pursuit of Maddison and Fekir.
Fekir is a surprise target though, especially if he’s being viewed as a Maddison alternative.
Fekir turns 30 next summer, whereas Maddison has only recently turned 26 and still has his prime years to come.
The two are very different age profiles and spending big on Fekir to get him in his 30’s just doesn’t seem like a smart investment.
If Newcastle want a real Maddison alternative, it surely makes more sense to go for a player in their early to mid 20’s than spend on Fekir.
The Frenchman hasn’t even been all that impressive in terms of raw numbers this season, bagging just three goals and two assists in 11 games.
Fekir has been branded a ‘genius’ by Betis themselves but Newcastle can spend their money a little more wisely.
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