With less than 48 hours to go until the summer transfer window slams shut, it’s still not clear what Newcastle United will do at centre-back. Will Marc Guehi sign, are we pursuing an overseas option instead or have we left it too late?
As the Guehi saga drags on and mixed reports emerge on the likelihood that he eventually arrives on Tyneside, one name that’s emerged is RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan.
This isn’t the first time we’ve been linked with the Frenchman, but a flurry of reports yesterday suggested we are ‘exploring’ a deal, with Sky Germany, The Guardian and Jacque Talbot on Football Transfers all reporting on our renewed interest.
Eddie Howe may ideally prefer a Premier League proven captain in Guehi, yet Simakan ticks several boxes and would cost significantly less, with reports in Germany suggesting he’s available for just over £40m. It may be late in the day, but that would free up more ‘headroom’ for a potential right-winger to arrive?
Then comes his profile and where he’d fit. Simakan would not only add real pace, mobility and aggression to our back line, but he’s also very versatile; a trait Howe craves in most of his signings. The right-footed 24-year-old (same age as Guehi) is equally comfortable playing at right-back, meaning he could kill two birds with one stone should Kieran Trippier leave in the next two days.
There’s also the Paul Mitchell link that could prove useful. Having previously worked for the Bundesliga club, his presence could help negotiations if we do opt to pursue the former Strasbourg man.
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/08/29/simakan-to-newcastle-why-this-could-make-perfect-sense-if-newcastle-ditch-guehi-deal/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2024-08-29 10:29:47
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