Newcastle official spotted in France as Toon line up move for long-term target - Report
While our hopes of landing attacking reinforcements this month continue to dwindle, it seems Newcastle United are laying the foundations for a few summer moves.
A risky strategy with so much left to play for this term, although there's one long-term target that could be well worth pursuing at the end of the season as he prepares to become available on a free transer.
Here's the latest, featuring a familiar name from France who received a visit from Newcastle last Friday night.
Toon official spotted in Lille
According to an exclusive from The Chronicle's Lee Ryder, Newcastle are pushing to position themselves at the front of the queue for Lille star Jonathan David.
He reveals that a 'high-level' club official was in the stands in Lille's 2-1 win over Nice on Friday night, with David emerging as an early target to replace Callum Wilson this summer should our No.9 depart.
Like Wilson, David is out of contract this summer and on course to leave on a free transfer, sparking interest from a number of top European clubs.
It's thought qualifying for the Champions League could be a key factor for David - who is due to face Liverpool at Anfield tonight - with Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United also admirers of the 25-year-old, expected to demand around £120,000-per-week.
David has an impressive 17 goals and seven assists in 30 appearances this term, including four in six Champions League outings.
Should Newcastle make a move, he would not be the first Lille player to arrive on Tyneside after previous moves for Sven Botman, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy - although it's clear we'll face intense competition for his signature.
The big question, however, is would he really sign to play second fiddle to Alexander Isak? I suspect not, unless Howe had a plan in mind to play both in the same attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM_HZNm56N4
January move ruled out - but one to watch this summer
Letang said: "We are not going to sell him in January and we have not received any offer for him. Jonathan’s situation is super simple. We are very happy to have you with us. Last off-season, he had one year left on his contract. We could qualify for the Champions League.
"When you have a guy who scores 20-25 goals a season. We had no obligation to sell him. He is a player who scores between 20 and 25 goals and qualifies for the Champions League.
"Plus, Jonathan loves Lille which is his club. Our position was very clear from the beginning, we think of the athlete. Obviously, he already has an offer (contract) that is in his hands, the ball is in his court."
