Newcastle United are reportedly battling Red Bull Salzburg for Mickael Nade.
Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez
According to France Football, Newcastle United have made an approach to sign Saint-Etienne defender Mickael Nade – but so have Red Bull Salzburg.
The Magpies may have lost 3-1 at home to Fulham on Saturday afternoon, but they are still expected to win promotion to the Premier League, where Rafael Benitez will look to splash the cash.
However, having landed the likes of Stuart Findlay and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni last summer, there is also some emphasis being placed on bringing in young players for the future.
With that in mind, France Football report that Newcastle have made their first move to sign Saint-Etienne youngster Mickael Nade, approaching him about the prospect of a summer move.
Nade, 18, has come up through the ranks with Saint-Etienne, and has been compared favourably to former Saint-Etienne centre back Kurt Zouma, who is currently with Chelsea.
Yet to make his Saint-Etienne debut, Nade is still highly rated, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, the centre back can move to another club for a modest development fee, which has triggered interest.
General view of the top of St James’ Park
Whilst Newcastle may be lining up a move for Nade as a player to develop behind Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Chancel Mbemba and Grant Hanley, it’s added that Red Bull Salzburg are also interested in Nade.
The Austrian side had great success with a young French defender in Dayot Upamecano, who is now with sister club RB Leipzig, and could look to repeat the trick by landing Nade with the promise of first-team football.
Nade will come cheap this summer, but given that both Newcastle and Red Bull Salzburg have allegedly made approaches for him, there could be a real summer battle on for Nade’s signature.
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