Newcastle United are at the moment closing in on the signing of Everton starlet, Anthony Gordon with deadline day looming, though that late transfer for the Englishman might not be the top of the Magpies’ winter spending, with reviews in France suggesting that Lille’s Tiago Djalo could even be a potential goal this month.
According to Foot Mercato, the Tynesiders are interested by signing the 22-year-old earlier than the top of the window, with the centre-back at the moment dealing with an unsure future with the Ligue 1 aspect with simply 18 months left on his present deal.
The report means that sporting director Dan Ashworth is ‘ready to offer’ a price of greater than €20m (£18m) with a view to prise the Portuguese starlet from Stade Pierre-Mauroy, having beforehand signed Sven Botman from the French outfit through the summer season.
The versatile ace – who also can function at left-back – has been at his present aspect since becoming a member of from AC Milan again in 2019, having additionally beforehand been on the books at Sporting Lisbon – albeit with out making a first-team look for both of his former employers.
As expertise scout Jacek Kulig predicted, these two golf equipment have possible been left to “regret” their determination to maneuver the 6 foot 3 titan on prior to now, with the “dominant” defender – as per Kulig – at the moment shining at Lille.
The present marketing campaign has confirmed significantly spectacular for the Portugal U21 worldwide, as he has netted twice in 18 league video games, whereas additionally showcasing his defensive prowess after averaging 2.4 clearances and 1.5 tackles per recreation in that point.
The teenager’s high quality can also be laid naked by his statistical and stylistic similarities to Inter Milan colossus, Milan Skriniar, as per FBref, with that of curiosity to these at St James’ Park because the latter man has seemingly been a goal for Ashworth and co in latest occasions.
As 90min revealed earlier this month, the northeast aspect had been named as certainly one of a handful of golf equipment who had been ‘expected’ to make a proposal for the Slovakia worldwide, whereas reviews in Italy prompt again in December that he was a agency goal for the top-four hopefuls.
With the 27-year-old now seemingly on his option to Paris Saint-Germain, nevertheless, Eddie Howe should look elsewhere for an appropriate centre-back alternative, therefore turning Djalo as a great match to bolster the backline.
That likeness between the pair is illustrated by the truth that they each present actual high quality in possession, with Djalo notably rating within the prime 9% amongst these in his place for cross completion, whereas Skriniar ranks within the prime 7% in that very same metric.
Such high quality on the ball can also be showcased by the truth that the Inter machine averages 0.43 progressive passes acquired per recreation as an instance his capability to spark assaults from deep, whereas the youthful man is just barely behind as he averages 0.30 in that regard.
Skriniar – who additionally stands at 6 foot 3 – has additionally loved the same file within the league this season to that of Djalo, as he has averaged 2.2 clearances and 1.5 tackles per recreation from his 19 Serie A appearances, proving that the 2 males are firmly alike each in possession, but additionally on account of their ball-winning capability.
That ought to point out that Newcastle can find a great alternative for the PSG-bound sensation within the type of Djalo.
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