Newcastle United’s search for new centre-backs is hotting up, and it is not just free agents on their radar.
A lot of the talk domestically is about Newcastle United trying to sign Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo, with both players set to be available on free transfers.
Geordie Boot Boys have been told that the Magpies are the favourites to bring in Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth, while the noise surrounding Tosin is suddenly very encouraging as well.
It has been reported that Newcastle are now likely to sign the 26-year-old, and are prepared to pay him more than £100,000-a-week to move to St James’ Park.
Newcastle also linked with signing Sporting star
That is a lot of money, which brings us to another central defender that is on Newcastle United’s radar.
As well as English players, Toon scouts have also been looking further afield. Geordie Boot Boys have previously been told that Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande is a player they like, having watched him multiple times in Lisbon.
The 20-year-old centre-back is a man in demand, but it was recently reported that Eddie Howe’s side are leading the race to sign him.
However, the big issue was the price, with Sporting looking for Diomande’s £69million release clause to be paid in full. That is not going to work for Newcastle, who want to negotiate a lower price.
Sporting lower their Ousmane Diomande demands
And the latest report from Portugal suggest that they might be able to do just that.
According to A Bola, Newcastle remain in pole position to sign the Ivory Coast international this summer, with Sporting set to change their demands.
The Portuguese outlet claim that Sporting are now willing to negotiate a deal worth between £43million and £51million.
Newcastle’s Diomande deal surely dependent on other targets
With Sporting possibly lowering their asking price for Diomande by as much as £26million, a move for the youngster suddenly looks even more appealing.
Diomande is an immense talent – someone who has been tipped to become one of the best defenders on the planet. That is why Europe’s best are queueing up to sign him, and there will be even more suitors now that Sporting are willing to lower their demands.
This update presents Newcastle with an opportunity, but what they do regarding Diomande might depend on what happens closer to home.
While Diomande is a much more promising talent and much younger, deals for Kelly and Tosin appear to be much closer. We are aiming to sign two Premier League calibre centre-backs on free transfers, which is perhaps more appealing than splashing out on someone like Diomande.
And if Newcastle do complete deals for the English duo, that will surely mean our pursuit of Diomande is over – no matter what his asking price is.
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