Newcastle United are keen to sign Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu this summer having failed to sign him in January.
That’s according to 90Min, who claim that Newcastle wanted to sign Salisu during the January transfer window for around £40million.
It’s understood that talks were advanced and Newcastle were ready to splash big money on bringing the Ghanaian to Tyneside.
However, Southampton’s change of ownership in January kiboshed the deal and Newcastle signed Dan Burn instead.
Newcastle still want to sign Salisu this summer, but that of course relies on the Magpies actually staying in the Premier League.
Salisu started out in Ghana but really emerged with Real Valladolid, earning his move to Southampton in the summer of 2020.
Salisu, 22, has been deployed as a centre back and even left back, and now has 33 Premier League appearances under his belt.
Earlier this season, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl raved about Salisu after a fine display against West Ham United’s Michail Antonio.
Hasenhuttl suggested that Salisu’s style of defending is ‘very nasty’, winning duels against strikers because of his strength and aggressive approach.
Hasenhuttl identified Salisu as the perfect player to deal with Antonio’s physicality, and it worked a treat.
Salisu has already shown the ability to go toe-to-toe with quality Premier League strikers, and more consistency should come as he gets older.
Salisu isn’t just a powerhouse defender though, as he has shown potential carrying the ball and spraying long passes forward to get Southampton onto the attack.
Put simply, Salisu has the potential to become a complete defender in the future.
£40million would represent huge profit for Southampton, and that may be an offer that is just too good to turn down if it arrives in the summer.
Salisu is at least settled and can keep on developing at Southampton, but don’t be surprised if Newcastle make another move.
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