Newcastle United have made contact over the signing of a superb defender likened to Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, with a move worth over £34m mooted.
Newcastle continue to eye attacking signings
Eddie Howe will know the importance of strengthening his squad all over the pitch this summer, but it does look as though attacking signings are at the forefront of the manager’s thoughts.
Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has been linked with a move to Newcastle, with an offer of £50m reportedly likely to be accepted by the Premier League club. The former Manchester United man enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season and could add much-needed youth and quality to the right-hand side of Howe’s attack.
In terms of potentially audacious signings, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is right up there for the Magpies this summer, considering he has been among the best in the world in his position over the past decade. He could provide outstanding competiton to Nick Pope.
Newcastle are also thought to be among the favourites to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, as has seemingly been the case for some time now, and he could be a perfect addition at the heart of the defence, coming in as an immediate key man. Now, another central defender has been mentioned as a concrete target.
According to LaRoma24 [via Sport Witness], Newcastle, and by extension PIF, have made contact over the signing of Roma defender Evan Ndicka this summer.
The Ivorian is likely to cost over £34m, with Arsenal in the same position as the Magpies, and the player’s representatives are said to have been informed that he could leave ahead of next season.
Ndicka is exactly what Newcastle could require at centre-back this summer, with the 25-year-old at a great age to come in and hit the ground running from the off.
The Ivory Coast international started all 38 Serie A games for Roma last season, averaging 3.8 clearances per game, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “superb player”.
|
Evan Ndicka’s 2024/25 Serie A stats |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
38 |
|
Starts |
38 |
|
Minutes played |
3420 |
|
Clearances per game |
3.8 |
|
Aerial duel wins per game |
1.6 |
|
Interceptions per game |
0.9 |
|
Tackles per game |
0.8 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Assists |
1 |
Ndicka is now an experienced footballer who has racked up 45 appearances in the Europa League and won 16 caps for the Ivory Coast, and it is easy to see him excelling in a Newcastle shirt.
He has been likened to Liverpool centre-back Konate, which bodes well given the Frenchman’s impact at Anfield, and he could ultimately be a cheaper alternative to Guehi at St James’ Park this summer.
