CalcioMercato report that Arsenal are ready to sanction a move for William Saliba for a fee of £25million, at the end of the season. At that price, Newcastle have got to consider a summer move for the Marseille loanee.
It was intriguing, exciting, but frustrating window for Newcastle. On the face of it, they spent almost £100million and brought five solid players – they will have liked another centre-back in their fight to avoid the drop.
Dan Burn has arrived at the club he started with, joining from Brighton. But moves for Diego Carlos, Sven Botman, Benoit Badiashile and others fell through. Newcastle are expected to go for a centre-back in the summer.
But with Burn signed, and the likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles at least decent options – surely their next centre-back signing will be a younger option. One that matches the potential of Botman and Badiashile.
Newcastle should consider move for Arsenal defender Saliba
Saliba, 20, has been excellent at Marseille. Somewhat cast aside by Arsenal and Mikel Arteta , he joined the Ligue 1 side and has been first choice throughout – helping Jorge Sampaoli’s side keep 13 clean sheets in 29 games.
That form has attracted some of Europe’s biggest sides. CalcioMercato claim Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan are all keen – with Arsenal requesting a fee of £25million. That has got to put Newcastle on red alert.
While he might not have made the breakthrough he would have liked at Arsenal, he has shown he has the potential to play for top clubs in Europe – at just 20. £25million is a bargain and his profile fits what Newcastle want.
Interest from Madrid and both Milan clubs will prove tempting, but Newcastle have the financial clout to knock those sides out of the water. It would be a superb signing, a player Matteo Guendouzi labelled “powerful”.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
