Sports
Magpies enter race for Lucas Digne
Newcastle United have joined Chelsea and West Ham in the race to sign French international left-back Lucas Digne from Everton.
The 28-year-old has played 110 games for Everton since joining in 2018, scoring 4 goals and assisting on 18 occasions. However, Digne has been out of the Everton side after a falling out with manager Rafa Benitez over tactics.
Everton have put a £30million price-tag on the ex Barcelona full-back who loves to get forward and join the attack. Digne has represented his country on 43 occasions and is highly sought after as an unnamed fourth Premier League team are chasing his signature.
Chelsea are looking to replace Ben Chillwell after the 25-year-old had surgery on his knee ligaments, leaving him out for the remainder of the season. Lucas Digne would be a like-for-like replacement for the England international and suits the system played by Thomas Tuchel.
West Ham are also in the market for a full-back and have declared an interest in Digne. Moyes’ side are in fantastic form and in the race for Europe heading into the second half of the season, which could potentially sway the Everton man their way.
Italian side Napoli have enquired about the signing Digne on-loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, but this doesn’t match Everton’s plans for the left-back.
Newcastle are expected to confirm the signing of Kieran Trippier in the coming days. A fee of around £12million, plus add-ons, was agreed with Atletico yesterday afternoon as the left-back travels to Tyneside to complete his medical.
Under the new Saudi-regime the club are expected to bring in a number of reinforcements in January, especially in defensive areas, and Lucas Digne would be a great addition to Howe’s side.
The left-back’s playing style matches the tactics implemented by Eddie Howe and would certainly help the side to create opportunities in attacking areas. The Everton man also likes to get his foot in and is capable of making key tackles when called upon.
Digne was an unused substitute in Everton’s defeat to Brighton on Sunday, as club captain Seamus Coleman fills in at left-back.
When asked about Digne, Benitez said “The most important thing for me is having players on the pitch who want to be there.”
Everton have already signed Vitaliy Mykolenko to replace Digne should he leave in January and are interested in selling the full-back if the right price is offered.
Thoughts?
Would you take Digne? Should the left-back position be a priority for Howe?
More to follow…
Newcastle United boss wants to extend the contracts of two players before losing them.
Eddie Howe has expressed in a recent fan Q&A his intentions to keep two out of contract players this summer, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett, according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, with both players current contracts set to end this summer.
6 players are currently set to become out of contract come June 1st, Loris Karius, Paul Dummet, Mark Gillespie, Matt Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark. However, it is only Karius and Dummett that appear to be safe of getting the chop.
Loris Karius has spent this season as Newcastle United’s third choice keeper, with only one appearance coming in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite the loss, Karius did little wrong and contributed some wonderful saves late on in that game.
Paul Dummett has had the same treatment, with only one appearance coming his way, a Carabao Cup tie in the second round against Tranmere Rovers back in August. The 31-year-old Welshman is an experienced head and will no doubt have great respect within the dressing room having signed for the club back in 2012 making 205 appearances in that time.
Both players can expect new contracts from Eddie Howe as he has made it known that he wants them both to remain at the club next season.
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10 players Eddie Howe could look towards with contracts expiring at the end of this season.
The free agent’s market is the absolute cheat code for clubs across the board, being able to avoid the rising transfer fees and getting players through the door through verbal agreements makes life much easier for clubs during the transfer window.
We have compiled a list of 10 free transfers NUFC could sign this summer from Europe’s top five leagues giving them a rating of the potential of them signing and the impact they would have.
- Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
The 29-year-old full back has his contract expiring this summer and with NUFC already being hinted at as his potential new club, this one is worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He would slot straight in at left-back to have healthy competition for fan favourite Dan Burn and add a burst of class and pace to that left hand side. The Portugal international already has an impressive CV and would be looking to show that off to the St. James faithful.
Potential – A
Impact – A
- Yerry Mina (Everton)
With Everton potentially facing the drop this season, a jump from Merseyside to Newcastle could suit the centre back to a T. The 28-year-old Columbian international would add to NUFC’s already in form back line and bring some South American heat as they look to progress further next season. Mina possesses dominance, aggression, and a great ariel threat and would be a top addition to the magpies this summer.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Jonathan Bamba (Lille)
An explosive winger who made his name known as Lille snatched the league title in 2021 in France, the 26-year-old is still yet to receive a contract extension from the club and could be looking elsewhere in the summer. Adding pace, flair, and drive to an already exciting front three for NUFC could be what fans need going into next season.
Potential – C
Impact – A
- Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Reportedly being close to leaving in the summer window of 2022, Youri Tielemans would be a fine addition to NUFC’s midfield being able to operate in a slightly deeper role to allow Bruno to push further up the field and do what he does best. The 25-year-old has his contract expiring this summer and with him and James Maddison already being linked to the club, this transfer seems to make so much more sense and would add heaps of quality to the centre of the field.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Drive, power, and flair are the 3 best words to describe Crystal Palace star man Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old could be looking to depart his beloved club in the hope for European football next season and NUFC could be just the place for him. Being able to operate either on the left or down the middle, Zaha would thrive under Eddie Howe and be a fantastic addition to the front line.
Potential – B
Impact – A
A Sunderland football player on loan to Lincoln FC has had his loan terminated after he was charged with rape.
Jack Diamond, 23, had been arrested after a sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, last year.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation, but have now charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Lincoln City FC said the player’s loan contract had been terminated “with immediate effect”.
His home club, Sunderland AFC, said he had been suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
In a statement, it said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.”
“As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time”.
The incident is alleged to have happened in May last year.
Mr Diamond, of Fatfield, also Washington, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.
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