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Newcastle reignite interest in £69m “elite talent”
Newcastle are expected to be in the market for a centre-back when the summer transfer window opens and have been strongly linked to returning for former targets.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed last week that the Magpies remain interested in signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi after a very public failed attempt to sign the defender last summer.
Newcastle are in a prime position to qualify for Champions League football ahead of next season if they can win their final three games in the Premier League, and have also experienced a historic moment in the club’s history, winning their first major trophy in seven decades.
The project on Tyneside has become incredibly appealing thanks to their ferocious progress both domestically and in European qualification, so if they could upgrade their confirmed Conference League spot to the most elite competition, it would put them in an enviable position to recruit.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell will be in the driving seat to carefully select new additions that can help Newcastle take the next steps in their ambitions of dominance.
The priority will be adding crucial depth to key roles on the pitch and the centre-back positions are deemed to be an area Newcastle are looking to target for the long-term future of the team.
Fabian Schar has extended for another 12 months but is coming to the latter stages of his career and will need to be replaced in the not so distant future, so it makes perfect sense that the club are looking at their options.
According to Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, Newcastle are particularly interested in Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande, a player they have been linked with in the past.
The publication claims that Diomande has an €80m (£69m) release clause in his contract, but could leave Portugal this summer.
Should Newcastle sign Ousmane Diomande?
Although Newcastle have been tipped to return for Guehi this summer, convincing Palace to part ways with their club captain could prove to be difficult if they qualify for the Europa League.
The South London club will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium next weekend and not only could finally earn some silverware, a victory would qualify them for a European spot.
As a result, it will be wise for the North East giants to keep their options open when it comes to their approach to filling their centre-back vacancy, and Diomande is more than a worthy alternative.
The 21-year-old Ivory Coast international – hailed an “elite talent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – has notched up nine starting appearances in the Champions League this season and nine in the Europa League last season, offering some much-needed experience in European competition to the Magpies.
Not only that, similarly to his potential predecessor Schar, Diomande has an eye for goal from his centre-back role tallying up six goals for Sporting CP over his 99 appearances so far – another attribute that could help him seamlessly transition to Tyneside.
The 6 foot 3 titan fits the profile perfectly to be a worthwhile target for the Magpies, combining a strong and aggressive presence in his defensive role with the ability to take his chances in attacking opportunities and play direct football.
With that being said, a move for Diomande is definitely one to watch for the St James’ Park faithful and it will be interesting to see if the club is willing to meet his release clause.
