Newcastle United are reportedly considering RC Lens defender, Kevin Danso, with sporting director Dan Ashworth seemingly eager to strengthen the membership’s centre-back ranks.
What’s the phrase?
According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are stated to be ‘actively working’ to enhance their squad forward of subsequent season, with the Austria worldwide a kind of who the northeast facet are at present monitoring.
The report suggests {that a} swap might probably happen on the finish of the season, albeit with any deal set to value as a lot as €40m (£35m), with the 24-year-old’s present cope with the Ligue 1 outfit set to run out in 2026.
The 11-cap sensation has earlier, albeit transient, Premier League expertise which can be engaging to the St James’ Park outfit, having spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Southampton.
Bye-bye Lascelles
Although that stint with the Saints proved considerably underwhelming, because the 6 foot 3 brute solely featured ten instances throughout all fronts, the previous Augsburg man has since gone on to glitter after shifting to France again in the summertime of 2021.
The £8.5k-per-week sensation loved a effective debut marketing campaign final time period after averaging 1.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per recreation from his 33 appearances, whereas additionally proving an actual menace going ahead after offering 4 purpose contributions in that point.
The one-time MK Dons youth asset has continued that stellar kind within the present marketing campaign after taking part in a significant function in Lens’ outstanding title surge, having stored eight clear sheets in his 17 Ligue 1 begins, whereas profitable 77% of his aerial duels and recording 1.1 tackles and 1.2 interceptions.
The “powerful” titan – as described by Saints journalist Adam Leitch – was notably a part of the facet that triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain on New Year’s Day, having made a whopping five interceptions and 6 clearances towards the European giants, whereas additionally having fun with a 93% go accuracy price as a marker of his gorgeous composure on the ball.
As such, have been Ashworth in a position to carry Danso to Tyneside, the Austrian ace might nicely show an excellent improve on membership captain, Jamaal Lascelles, with the Englishman reportedly certainly one of a handful of Magpies property who might be allowed to depart this month.
That exit discuss has come following the 29-year-old’s slide down the pecking order underneath supervisor Eddie Howe, with the long-serving determine having solely made seven appearances thus far this time period, together with simply 4 league outings.
The forgotten man has underwhelmed when he has featured within the prime flight as he averages simply 0.3 tackles and 0 interceptions per recreation this time period, having stored solely two clear sheets in 26 league video games final season after averaging 0.8 tackles and 0.6 interceptions – a report far inferior to that of Danso.
Equally, whereas the latter man was serving to to maintain Kylian Mbappe and co at bay per week in the past, Lascelles’ newest outing noticed the £40k-per-week dud battle to deal with a Josh Windass-inspired Sheffield Wednesday facet, because the League One outfit claimed a shock FA Cup triumph.
That show – which noticed the defender endure some ‘tough moments‘ according to the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder – has laid naked the necessity for a recent face within the backline, with Danso seemingly the improve that Newcastle are craving in an effort to wave farewell to their present skipper.