Lille's Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba in action with RC Lens' Alexis Claude Maurice
Newcastle United have reportedly scouted exciting Lille central midfielder Carlos Baleba ahead of a potential move this summer.
The Lowdown: Midfielder needed
With Jonjo Shelvey allowed to go to Nottingham Forest, and both Matty Longstaff and Matt Ritchie out of contract in the summer, Newcastle will be looking for a new midfielder in order to bolster their options.
They are reportedly already eyeing up a possible move for Southampton maestro James Ward-Prowse, but a new target has now emerged.
The Latest: Baleba scouted
Writing for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey says that the St. James’ Park outfit are among a number of clubs to have scouted exciting teenager Baleba, with a view of making a potential offer in the next window.
Fellow Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham United and Leicester City have also scouted him in recent months, along with Juventus, Nice and Monaco from abroad.
AC Milan failed with a bid to try and sign him in January, as Lille see him in the same vein as Amadou Onana, who left to join Everton for £30m last summer.
The Verdict: Another exciting addition
Baleba would be another exciting young addition in the North East, following in the footsteps of the likes of Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby.
The 19-year-old has burst onto the scene at Lille, with 12 first-team appearances so far this season after playing for the youth side four times (Transfermarkt).
The French club have a history of producing big talents and them selling them off to the Premier League, notably the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Sven Botman and Eden Hazard among others.
Nonetheless, Baleba looks to be their next rising star, and could well follow Botman to the Magpies for next season.
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