Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign ADO Den Haag centre-back Wilfried Kanon, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claimed via their live transfer blog on Saturday [12:18pm] that Leicester, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Everton have also been interested in signing the 25-year-old in the summer transfer window.
It is understood that the in-demand Ivory Coast international is also wanted in Germany and Spain as he prepares to play at the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
The Sun adds that Den Haag are “resigned” to losing Kanon in the summer and he is available for a “cut-price” fee worth just £3million.
Good move for Newcastle?
Kanon must have had a good season in the Eredivisie for Den Haag to have all of these clubs interested in his signature, but Newcastle really do not need to add another centre-back to their squad in the summer.
The Magpies already have Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark who can play in that position, so even if one or two of them leave, there is still plenty of cover.
Kanon might be cheap at £3million, but that £3million should be saved and used on strengthening other parts of the squad.
This is Futbol rating 1/10
Likely to happen?
Newcastle are not a team that will waste money in the summer and they will only sign players to fill positions that need strengthening and as mentioned, Kanon simply isn’t needed at St James’ Park.
A lot of clubs across Europe seem to be interested in the 6ft 3 [transfermarkt] colossus and the chances are that he will join one of them instead of Newcastle, who are unlikely to be pushing forward with transfer targets while Rafa Benitez’s future remains up in the air.
This is Futbol rating 1/10