Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring AS Monaco’s French defender Benoit Badiashile as they scour the market for defensive reinforcements.
According to a report from L’Equipe, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle United are keeping tabs on the development of AS Monaco youngster Benoit Badiashile as they line up a January move for the French centre-half.
Badiashile joined the Monaco youth academy in the summer of 2016. He broke into the first team in November 2018 under then-manager Thierry Henry, aged just 17 years. He has gradually grown into a regular in the senior squad, racking up 104 appearances already while also establishing himself as a mainstay in the French Under-21 national team.
A defender with great potential, Badiashile has been linked with several high-profile clubs in the past. Wolves have previously been credited with an interest in the 20-year-old and have even made an approach for him. Now, Newcastle United have emerged as a suitor in the race to sign the French centre-half.
Newcastle United find themselves in a precarious position, as they lie 19th in the Premier League table, with relegation very much a possibility. It has been a disappointing campaign thus far for the Magpies, with the managerial change from Steve Bruce to Eddie Howe yet to produce the desired results, even though there have been improvements in some aspects.
Newcastle have struggled at both ends of the pitch and are in the market for reinforcements in attack and defence, as their new owners are ready to spend in the January transfer window to help fix their problems. The spree has already begun, with Kieran Trippier arriving from Atletico Madrid. More players are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, with a new centre-back high on the agenda.
It has led to links with several options, such as Sven Botman of LOSC Lille, while Diego Carlos of Sevilla is also a key target. Badiashile has also been added to the list as an option that the Tynesiders are looking at in the ongoing transfer window.
The report adds that Badiashile is unlikely to leave Monaco midway through the campaign, although a big offer could change things. The Ligue 1 side are already understood to have knocked back a €30 million approach from Wolves. Newcastle will need to offer a bigger sum to get the Principality outfit to reconsider their stance.
Whether the Toon decide to press ahead with their pursuit of the 20-year-old Badiashile or focus their efforts on other targets like Botman or West Ham United’s Issa Diop remains to be seen.