Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth seems to be scouring the marketplace for potential new recruits forward of the January switch window, with midfield seemingly an space through which the Magpies wish to strengthen.
That’s in accordance with the Every day Mail, with the report suggesting that Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone is a possible goal for the northeast facet, albeit with the German outfit possible unwilling to half methods subsequent month.
Even regardless of that potential impediment, it may nicely show an astute transfer if Ashworth and co are to make an strategy for the 21-year-old within the New 12 months, with the Frenchman having showcased his high quality within the Bundesliga in current instances.
The previous Toulouse ace – who left his homeland again in the summertime of 2021 – has been in significantly spectacular kind for his present facet to date this time period, showcasing his ball-winning skills after averaging 2.1 tackles per recreation within the league this season from his 14 appearances.
The promising teenager additionally notably ranks within the high 20% in Europe amongst these in his place in that metric, having confirmed himself a very efficient asset at breaking apart play within the centre of the park.
That knack has earned the France U21 worldwide notable reward from expertise scout Jacek Kulig, with the youth skilled describing him as “like having one further man on the pitch”, such is the 6 foot 1 titan’s damaging brilliance.
It’s not simply defensively that the £6k-per-week maestro thrives, nevertheless, with Kone exhibiting his brilliance in possession as he ranks within the high 1% for dribbles accomplished, providing an actual dynamic presence along with his capability to drive his facet ahead from deep.
Such traits have additionally earned additional reward from the aforementioned Kulig, with the revered supply having said final yr: “He’s such a warrior. Full package deal for a high-quality box-to-box midfielder.”
A participant for whom the “sky is the restrict” – in accordance with Kulig – Kone may nicely be a determine whom Newcastle boss Eddie Howe can work with and develop over the approaching years, whereas additionally providing the undoubted high quality to have the ability to make a distinction within the brief time period.
Any transfer would possible not come low cost for the St James’ Park outfit – with CIES Soccer Observatory valuing the participant at €35m (£31m) – though it might seemingly show price it to have the ability to snap up a participant who has a “lot of potential“, as per former Gladbach boss Adi Hutter.
Having been linked with a transfer for Kone over the summer season, the Magpies may lastly flip that curiosity right into a concrete provide when the market re-opens subsequent month.
