Sampdoria defender Omar Colley is once again in a Premier League transfer tug-of-war with Leeds United, Newcastle and Everton keen ahead of the January transfer window, as reported by TEAMtalk.
Lady Luck was certainly shining down on Colley when the Gambia international missed out on a deadline-day move to England in the summer of 2020.
Colley’s agent admitted that Sheffield United and Fulham had shown an interest.
Securing a move to either Bramall Lane or Craven Cottage proved ‘impossible’, however, due to problems with his work-permit.
Even Neo himself might have been impressed by the way Colley dodged that particular bullet.
Because Fulham would join Sheffield United in suffering relegation back to the Championship a few months later.
And with Leeds, Newcastle and Everton throwing their hat into the ring one week before the January market opens, Colley has a decision to make.
Does he leave Sampdoria for a Newcastle side circling the Premier League plughole, or a Leeds side with relegation worries of their own?
Everton, meanwhile, could easily be drawn into a survival dogfight themselves. Rafa Benitez’s side have won just one top-flight game since beating Norwich City 2-0 three months ago.
Could Omar Colley finally move to the Premier League?
Newcastle, Leeds and Everton make up three of the division’s most porous sides so it will come as no surprise to learn that defensive reinforcements are being prioritised.
Newcastle were turned down by Colley 11 months ago, however, when they were actually better placed in the league table than they are right now.
It remains to be seen whether those Saudi Arabian petro-dollars are enough to convince the late-blooming centre-back to sign on the dotted line this time around at a club who have just ten points to show for their 18 Premier League games.
Newcastle are also looking at three of Eddie Howe’s former Bournemouth stalwarts, Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Lloyd Kelly.
Deals for James Tarkowski or Ben Mee look distinctly pie in the sky, however, with Burnley reluctant to do business with a relegation rival.
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