Newcastle United are presently closing in on the signing of Everton starlet, Anthony Gordon with deadline day looming, though that late transfer for the Englishman is probably not the tip 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 excited by signing the 22-year-old earlier than the tip of the window, with the centre-back presently going through an unsure future with the Ligue 1 facet with simply 18 months left on his present deal.
The report means that sporting director Dan Ashworth is ‘ready to offer’ a charge of greater than €20m (£18m) to be able to prise the Portuguese starlet from Stade Pierre-Mauroy, having beforehand signed Sven Botman from the French outfit throughout the summer season.
The versatile ace – who may also feature at left-back – has been at his present facet since becoming a member of from AC Milan again in 2019, having additionally beforehand been on the books at Sporting Lisbon – albeit without 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 up to now, with the “dominant” defender – as per Kulig – presently 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 sport in that point.
The teen’s high quality can 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 current instances.
As 90min revealed earlier this month, the northeast facet have been named as certainly one of a handful of golf equipment who have been ‘expected’ to make a proposal for the Slovakia worldwide, whereas reports in Italy urged again in December that he was a agency goal for the top-four hopefuls.
With the 27-year-old now seemingly on his way to Paris Saint-Germain, nonetheless, Eddie Howe must 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 top 9% amongst these in his place for go completion, whereas Skriniar ranks within the top 7% in that very same metric.
Such high quality on the ball can be showcased by the truth that the Inter machine averages 0.43 progressive passes obtained per sport for example his capability to spark assaults from deep, whereas the youthful man is simply barely behind as he averages 0.30 in that regard.
Skriniar – who additionally stands at 6 foot 3 – has additionally loved an analogous report within the league this season to that of Djalo, as he has averaged 2.2 clearances and 1.5 tackles per sport 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.