Newcastle United are reportedly in contact with the representatives of AS Monaco forward Sofiane Diop over a possible transfer this summer.
According to Media Foot, AS Monaco forward Sofiane Diop is the latest name to register on the radars of Newcastle United as they look to beef up their attacking unit ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Diop came through the ranks at Rennes and moved to Monaco in the summer of 2018. The 22-year-old spent the 2019/20 campaign away on loan at Sochaux and has been a regular for the Principality outfit since returning. To date, he has made 102 appearances for the French club, scoring 16 goals and setting up nine more.
Diop is a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the final third. The 22-year-old has largely been used as a left-winger at Monaco but is capable of slotting in on the opposite flank or as a No. 9, while he has also played as an attacking midfielder on occasions. He was directly involved in 16 goals from 45 matches across all competitions last season.
Marseille have shown an interest in Diop and they have now been joined by Newcastle United in the race for the 22-year-old Frenchman. The Magpies are on the lookout for new attackers in the market as they look to add more firepower and venom to their frontline before the next season starts.
A move for Hugo Ekitike was in the works, but the Magpies pulled out of the race as the player was hesitating to complete the move. He has since joined PSG, with Newcastle exploring other options to reinforce their attack.
Newcastle United are stepping up their efforts to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea. But given the competition for his signing and Chelsea’s reluctance to part ways with the forward, Eddie Howe’s side are looking at other alternatives, with Red Bull Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko an option for the Magpies.
Diop has also emerged as a possible target for Newcastle, with the Magpies now making contact with his agents to explore the possibility of a transfer. While he is not a natural centre-forward, the 22-year-old’s versatile nature could help Howe add depth to the attacking unit and offer tactical flexibility.
Monaco, for their part, are open to selling Diop this summer. But with Marseille also in the running, Newcastle will have to act swiftly if they are serious about signing the French forward.
