The Newcastle United Blog | Target reps push for move to Newcastle as Senegal International hits radar
The Newcastle squad and coaching staff will fly to Saudi Arabia for warm weather training this week. Most recruiting staff will remain on site to work toward closing deals with the end of the winter window.
There appear to be a number of deals in the works but currently nothing is close according to Eddie Howe’s transfer update after yesterday’s win. It will be a pivotal week to strengthen the squad for the remaining 17 matches of this season.
Progress has stalled since Chris Wood walked through the door 10 days ago. Newcastle haven’t lost hope of landing their favorite targets including Diego Carlos, Jesse Lingard and Duvan Zapata.
90min report that Diego Carlos’ representatives Bertolucci Sports are trying to convince Sevilla to reach an agreement with Newcastle. The Rio-based group traveled to Seville to speak with Football manager Monchi.
However, the former Sevilla goalkeeper is unlikely to soften his stance and could demand up to £60million to allow the 28-year-old to leave mid-season. Newcastle will have to consider other targets if there is no move on this deal in the coming days.
The Sun have added another centre-back to Newcastle’s long list. They report that Newcastle could turn to Olympiacos giant Pape Abou Cisse, who is 6’6″. The 26-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, Leicester, Liverpool and Everton in the recent past.
Cissé is currently absent from the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. Newcastle have opened talks with the player’s representatives over a potential £12million transfer. Olympiacos, for whom Cissé has more than 100 appearances, seem very willing to do business.
Cissé has been with Olympiacos since 2017, coming from Ajaccio in Corsica in 2017. He made 74 appearances for the Ligue 2 club. Interestingly, he returned to France on loan with Saint-Etienne last January. The Ligue 1 club have not agreed to their £11million purchase.
As his height attests, Cisse is incredible in the air and considered a very smart defender. Although he is not blessed with an abundance of technical ability on the ball, he is a formidable force at the back.
Cisse probably isn’t high on the list, but could become an option late in the window if moves for other targets plummet. He would cost a fraction of some of the other targets although he still has a few years left on his contract.
Loading…
