Newcastle United The team has returned to top form over the last month or so, winning seven successive matches in all competitions.
The revived mid-season format is great however Eddie Howe Emphasis will be placed on maintaining this fluency during the months of campaign work, with Carabao Cup Title is up for grabs UEFA Champions League Qualification through Premier League Highest priority.
Transfer activity isn't everything this January, but it wouldn't hurt if a player capable of lifting the Magpies squad is welcomed.
Newcastle's transfer priorities this year
The endless struggle for a right-sided striker continues, although the need for a fresh face has been fueled by Jacob Murphy's impressive form this season.
Miguel Almiron It is expected to be sold outcreating space for such a project, while 35-year-old Martin Dubravka is expected to hang up his gloves in the Premier League and move to the Saudi Professional League for one last paycheck.
However, the most pressing concern remains the lack of depth at centre-back. Four bids – The latter for a total of £65 million – They were sacked at Crystal Palace last summer in favor of Mark Guehi but Steve Parish's determination has remained annoyingly consistent.
Fabian Schar is in talks to extend his contract at St James' Park but Jamaal Lascelles, injured this season, will leave at the end of his contract in June. Sven Botman recently returned from a knee injury he suffered in March.
Newcastle could do more in defence, especially when planning for a European future.
Howe is interested in the Spanish League star
Spanish sources revealed Newcastle are interested in signing Sevilla centre-back Loic Badie this winter, even though they will face stiff competition from Liverpool.
The report states that both sides have 'closely followed' the defender in recent times, with the Premier League duo said to view his signing as a 'priority'.
United need to strengthen their backline, and although Bade will not come cheap, he is understood to be priced at around €30m (£25m), ostensibly within Newcastle's standards.
What will Loic Baddie bring to Newcastle?
Buddy is a modern-day defender, ranking in the top 12% of centre-backs in La Liga this season for assists (0.08), top 1% for successful tackles (0.68) and top 4% for tackles (2.12). ) for every 90, According to FBref.
A successful strike is scored when a player beats his opponent by carrying the ball directly behind him while maintaining possession.
Talent scout Jacek Kulej He said he “will be a world-class defender in the future”, and he is only 24 years old but is already showing quality and the ability to overcome adversity.
Of course, he has already had a taste of Premier League football, in a sense, in the past. Signing for Nottingham Forest From French club Rennes on loan in 2022 but failed to make a single Premier League appearance, struggling with a glut of signings as the City Ground side sought to settle securely in the division following promotion.
He will He left on loan to Seville In January 2023, with the rest of history – as they say. now Record 75 matches With the Spanish team, Bady lifted the Europa League and established himself as one of the best defenders in the country.
Should Newcastle go ahead and complete the deal, Howe could find himself repeating the remarkable trick we witnessed Alexander Isaac Brought to the club. In 2022, Newcastle The Swedish striker was signed from Real Sociedad for £63ma fee that still stands as a club record.
Paddy will leave the Spanish scene after starting to reveal his qualities, just like Isak after the 25-year-old striker. He scored 23 goals During his last two full La Liga campaigns.
|
Premier League – Top Scorers 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
player |
Goals (per 90) |
|
1. |
Mohamed Salah |
18 (0.97) |
|
2. |
Erling Haaland |
16 (0.80) |
|
3. |
Alexander Isaac |
13 (0.80) |
|
3= |
Cole Palmer |
13 (0.67) |
|
3= |
Brian Mbeumo |
13 (0.65) |
|
Statistics via Premier League |
||
Now, having become an absolute threat in the Premier League, Howe has shown that his talent radar is unmissable when landing on the right player, with Liverpool's plots to sign Bade backing Newcastle's hopes for the France international's skillset.
Jamie Carragher from Sky Sports He even went so far as to hail Isaac as “the best striker in the Premier League at the moment” after him He scored 14 goals in 15 matchesalthough the eye test offers a more convincing commentary on its quality than any other numbers.
More similarities can be identified from Isak's unsuccessful spell with Borussia Dortmund, before his move to Sociedad, because He scored one goal and provided one assist Through 13 matches in Germany.
Isak's talent has been recognised, but his move came at the wrong time, and the same can be said for Bade at Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle are a quality team for sure, but there is also a strong drive and determination that serves as a solution to any impressive skills etc etc. He stressed that strong focus will succeed, and Newcastle needs to complete the deal this month, end the sadness that remains after Guehi's failed bid, and complete an already strong defensive line despite lacking some cogs.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle will be successful in their efforts to shore up their backline with such talent, but there is no doubt that he has skills tailor-made for the Premier League and could be a force to be reckoned with at the base of Howe's system.
In partnership with Botman, United can enjoy a dynamic partnership in defence. Paddy is hardly similar to Isaac, but his acquisition could mark a repeat of Howe's side, taking Newcastle a step closer to the pinnacle of European football.
