Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Chelsea v Gent - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 3, 2024 Chelsea's Axel Disasi celebrates after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Newcastle United have finally made a first-team signing in the summer transfer window and are expected to get more deals done before the new season commences next month.
After long-term interest and several rejected bids, The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed that Newcastle had reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest to sign winger Anthony Elanga.
In a post on social media platform X, the transfer insider revealed:
“Anthony Elanga set to do medical inside 48hrs & sign 5yr deal after Newcastle United find agreement with Nottingham Forest for 23yo. Winger moving to #NUFC from #NFFC – £52m + bonuses. Joins team-mates by end of week @TheAthleticFC after @FabrizioRomano”
The signing of Elanga is a fantastic piece of business for Newcastle, resolving their dilemma on the right flank in the long term and adding pace to their already formidable attacking threat.
However, there is still more work to be done, Eddie Howe and his team have no time to waste as players return to pre-season this week ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League campaign.
A centre-back signing has been on the agenda for some time, with a very public failure to secure the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi late last summer, so it will be important to nail down a defender who can make a difference.
According to RMC Sport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have begun discussions to sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.
The report claims that several clubs are interested in signing the 27-year-old this summer, including La Liga club Villarreal.
It is further noted that the Conference League winners are hoping to command a fee of €30m (£26m) for the sale this summer.
Should Newcastle sign Axel Disasi?
There is no doubt that Newcastle need to strongly consider adding quality depth to their defensive set-up in the long term.
Fabian Schar recently signed a 12 month deal to extend his stay on Tyneside, however, at 34 years old does not represent the future of the centre-back partnership alongside Sven Botman.
Fellow defender Dan Burn has been crucial in Newcastle’s successes in the last few years, but again, he is well into his 30s at this point and will need replacing soon.
As a result, the signing of Disasi does make sense if the club is looking to acquire a centre-back with both age on his side and a wealth of Premier League and European experience in his locker too.
The Frenchman – once hailed a “monster” by journalist Rahman Osman – spent the second half of last season on loan with Aston Villa, but an attempt to make the temporary stay permanent couldn’t be agreed.
Over 13 Premier League appearances last season, Disasi scored one goal, won the majority of his duels (55%), while making 2.3 ball recoveries and 2.2 tackles per game, as well as completing a 90% pass accuracy, as per SofaScore.
The Chelsea outcast is known for his aerial presence and ability to comfortably play out from the back with an outstandingly accurate passing range, both of which are traits that would suit Howe’s tactics on Tyneside.
With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle will take a chance on Disasi this summer, as his time in the Premier League has not yet allowed him to reach his full potential.
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