Newcastle could need a central midfielder if they sell Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback and Henri Saivet.
Newcastle United are set for a busy month under Rafa Benitez as the Spaniard looks to offload a number of fringe players in order to give him the money to manoeuvre in the transfer market.
Another report by the Daily Mirror last week claimed that England international Jonjo Shelvey could also leave St. James’ Park this month, with West Ham interested in a £12million move for the former Liverpool star.
That would leave Benitez very thin in midfield, with only Mikel Merino, Mo Diame and Isaac Hayden left if all three decided to jump ship. A central midfielder then, should be on Benitez’s January radar.
At just £8million, Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong is available according to the Daily Mail and Premier League rivals Watford have already made an enquiry for the 23-year-old.
Signed by Newcastle’s closest rivals for £13.6million from Ligue 1 side Lorient last summer, Ndong has hardly been given the chance to shine at the Stadium of Light and certainly holds the potential to be somewhat of an uncovered gem.
Offering pace in the middle of the park, the 19-time Gabon international boasts an impressive array of passing and the dying art of a box-to-box midfielder – rather than being specialised as a holding midfielder or a playmaker.
Even if Newcastle do not sell all three midfielder, they should still consider landing Ndong as he has so much more to give than a disappointing first season with Sunderland.
At £8million, he could easily double that value by the end of the season if Benitez gives him a chance to orchestrate Newcastle’s survival in the Premier League from midfield.
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