This summer season is a vital one for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United if they’re to make a return to Champions League soccer for the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
The Magpies have constructed a superb basis with a really aggressive squad for the Premier League, however accidents have decimated the squad through the earlier season, limiting the membership to a seventh-placed end and lacking out on any European soccer.
Fixture congestion undoubtedly contributed to Newcastle’s bloated harm listing, with the dearth of squad depth being highlighted at a number of factors through the season.
New additions are desperately wanted at St James’ Park through the low season, bolstering Howe’s squad, matching his and the Saudi PIF’s ambitions to grow to be top-of-the-line golf equipment in world soccer.
The defensive unit is in want of funding, with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles each out till the flip of the yr following their respective ACL accidents.
Lloyd Kelly has already moved to Tyneside on a free switch from fellow Premier League facet Bournemouth, however he might be joined by one different participant who’s caught the attention in latest months.
Newcastle reignite curiosity in defensive expertise
In keeping with A Bola by way of Sport Witness, Newcastle are again involved over a transfer to signal Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande following earlier curiosity in his signature.
The Ivorian has excelled in Portugal final marketing campaign, beginning on 26 events and scoring two objectives – a report that has put the Magpies again on purple alert.
It’s beforehand been acknowledged that Diomande has an €80m (£69m) launch clause, however the newest replace from Portugal confirms that Sporting are probably open to letting him depart for €60m (£50m) – an absolute discount for a participant of his expertise and potential.
Fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Arsenal have beforehand been credited with an curiosity within the Ivorian, however Howe should prioritise a transfer for the teenager this summer season, with the expertise having all of the qualities to be the right accomplice for Botman upon his return from harm.
Why Diomande might be the right accomplice for Botman
Botman has been a wonderful addition to Howe’s facet since his £32m transfer from Lille a few years in the past, however he’s desperately been missing a accomplice on the coronary heart of Newcastle’s defence.
While he could also be an costly signing, Diomande, who’s beforehand been dubbed as “one of the vital thrilling CB prospects” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, he will surely enhance the backline while additionally probably being a greater addition than the Dutchman.
The defender averaged 1.7 tackles per 90 final season, as per FBref, additionally successful two aerials per recreation, demonstrating his glorious defensive capacity regardless of his tender age.
Regardless of his successes off the ball, the 20-year-old has additionally excelled with the ball at his toes, averaging a whopping 5.2 progressive passes per 90 – a tally that ranks him within the prime 8% of centre-backs in Portugal. This could permit the Magpies to transition right into a extra possession-based facet subsequent season ought to he arrive at St James’ Park.
Ousmane Diomande’s stats for Sporting in 23/24
Statistics
Diomande
Video games
26
Passes per 90
74
Go completion
92%
Tackles
1.7
Progressive passes
5.2
Profitable take-ons
0.4
Progressive carries
0.9
Stats by way of FBref
Diomande can be able to dribbling the ball out from the again, averaging 0.9 progressive carries per 90, along with his glorious ball-playing abilities offering a brand new dimension to Howe’s defence that it’s desperately been missing.
His capacity is there for all to see and Howe’s facet now desperately have to push within the race for his signature to keep away from lacking out on one among Europe’s prime younger abilities – with the intention of creating a long-term partnership with Botman.
While Diomande might price the membership practically double what they paid for Botman, it could be a worthwhile funding, with the Ivorian having the expertise to star on the again alongside the 24-year-old for Newcastle for a few years to return.
Associated
What Newcastle’s beginning XI may appear like after £128m spending spree
The Magpies can be seeking to reclaim a European spot in 2024/25.