Newcastle United are monitoring the situation of Lens central midfielder Seko Fofana while facing competition from several European clubs.
According to Foot Mercato, Lens central midfielder Seko Fofana is attracting the attention of Newcastle United, who are pondering making a move in the January window.
Newcastle United are working very hard to identify and take the next steps to secure their transfer targets. Since they completed a well-documented take over by the Saudi-backed consortium last month, the Magpies have become one of the wealthiest clubs in world football currently.
However, their league position has put them in a tricky situation, which could worsen before the January window opens. Despite the club entering the next window with a huge transfer kitty, defeats in the Premier League to some top teams could place them among favourites to be relegated at the end of the campaign.
In order to avoid the drop from the top-flight, Newcastle are prepared to spend big and strengthen their squad under the tutelage of new manager Eddie Howe. The former Bournemouth boss wants to shore up the backline and central midfield areas as he braces himself for a tough relegation battle.
They are already linked with several central defenders ahead of the January window. Some of the top names include Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and Burnley’s James Tarkowski, among many others. However, they also want a reliable central midfielder to give them an edge in the position, which looks pretty vulnerable with current options.
They are linked with an ambitious move for Borussia Dortmund’s Axel Witsel in recent times. It’s quite doubtful as the Germans may not want a key player leaving in the middle of the season, although the right offer could turn their heads.
Lens’ midfielder Seko Fofana is the latest to be linked with a move. The Ivorian has a contract until 2024, which might complicate things over a January move, as the French side will look to extract top value. Usually, for the right price, French clubs allow even their most important players to leave, although in Lens’ case, they might think hard before making a decision.
Fofana has played a key role in the club’s rise to second place on the Ligue 1 table, although they sit ten points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. He has played in each of their 13 games this season, scoring thrice in the process. The prospect of finishing the season in Champions League places might lead to Lens blocking any potential move for the midfielder.
However, they might not have an opportunity to sell Fofana for the best price after this window. There are other clubs such as AC Milan, Marseille and Atalanta who are on the hunt for the midfielder. A move to any of those sides could be attractive, although Newcastle would give him first-hand experience of Premier League football while also being able to make the best offer financially, which could tempt the Lens star.
The 26-year-old midfielder represents the type of player Howe could use to strengthen his side as Newcastle look to survive the threat of relegation. Whether they act on their interest in Fofana with a formal approach remains to be seen.