Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has been speaking on the Que Golazo YouTube channel to discuss Newcastle United’s interest in Benoit Badiashile.
The Toon entered the January transfer window with two weeks until their next Premier League game and the worst defensive record in the division.
Should NUFC sign Badiashile?
Yes
No
And now, with just a matter of days before their clash against relegation candidates Watford, Eddie Howe has just one new player at his disposal in Kieran Trippier.
Having tasted a humiliating defeat at the weekend to League One side Cambridge United, it seems they are now trying to push for a new centre-back ahead of their meeting with the Hornets.
Earlier in the week, the Toon had their latest approach for Sven Botman rejected and it now appears they have moved their attention onto Badiashile of AS Monaco.
The 20-year-old defender has featured prominently in Ligue 1 when fit, but injuries have hindered his game time, and speaking on the possibility of a switch to Tyneside, Romano had the following to say:
“For centre-back, if Botman will not be available, keep an eye on Badiashile of Monaco. I’m told that there is something on this negotiation. So they are talking with Monaco and let’s see if they’re able to find an agreement with the player and with the French club.”
TIF Thoughts on Badiashile to NUFC…
The Toon’s defensive record has been nothing short of horrific this season and it is apparent they are in desperate need of some new additions to bolster the backline.
Even the game last weekend against a third-string side highlighted their defensive deficiencies and we think the Magpies need players in as soon as possible.
However, there are clearly concerns among the media regarding the severity of Badiashile’s injury, with Romano claiming he could be out for a handful of weeks, while a layoff of up to six weeks has been touted by French outlets.
If this is the case, we are not sure whether Newcastle can afford to wait that long for a defender to return from injury with some massive games coming up against some of the league’s fellow strugglers.
Reports had later suggested concerns over the youngster’s fitness could threaten Newcastle’s pursuit of Badiashile, but given there are a number of weeks remaining in the window and that the Toon are in clear need of reinforcements at the back, we’ll have to wait and see what comes of this transfer link.
In other news: Georginio Wijnaldum drops potential exciting NUFC hint on Instagram amid transfer speculation