Newcastle launch €10m bid for La Liga centre-back - Report
The closer we get to the January transfer window, the more we're being told that Newcastle United are focusing on value-for-money signings outside of the Premier League, where players often come at a premium.
Another theme is 'we must sell to buy', but it sounds like we plan to be active next month, whether that's bringing in a new right-winger - PSV's Johan Bakayoko has been heavily linked again this week - or right-sided centre-back.
A new name has been mentioned today, with reports on the continent even claiming we've made a bid...
Newcastle bid for Bah?
According to SportItalia, Newcastle United have submitted an offer to sign Juma Bah; a right-sided 18-year-old centre-back at Real Valladolid.
They report that we've made a 'concrete move' for the towering 6ft 5' defender, offering €10m for the La Liga talent following his impressive displays in the Spanish top flight this season.
However, they add that the Spanish club are asking for a higher figure than the €10m (around £8.3m) offered and have turned down our opening proposal. However, it's thought a winter sale is on the cards, encouraging us to make another bid.
It's believed Manchester City, Chelsea and Bournemouth have also been tracking the Sierra Leone man, who would fit the profile Paul Mitchell is pushing us to sign as a young overseas player with potential who may cost a fraction of the price some domestic targets may demand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4ezfX7WY0Q
Investing in the future
It's becoming a theme that Newcastle United are now looking to bring in future stars who can either grow with the club and become first-team stars, or be sold for a quick profit.
Yankuba Minteh fell into the latter category in unfortunate circumstances over the summer, where an outstanding loan spell wit Feyenoord was followed by a £30m move to Brighton, handing Newcastle a profit of almost £25m in the space of 12 months.
Vakhtang Salia is the latest teenage sensation set to sign, with the Georgian forward due to arrive from Dinamo Tiblisi next year before going out on loan.
Could Bah be the next in line? A deal in excess of £8-9m suggests he could be more of a first-team option for now, especially after starting several La Liga games this season, but it's an intriguing link and someone we may see as a future partner for returning Dutchman Sven Botman.
