Cash-rich Newcastle United are reportedly tracking 21-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone ahead of the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United could be eyeing a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone in the wake of veteran playmaker Jonjo Shelvey’s latest injury when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
Newcastle United enjoyed a successful summer transfer window, and the club’s uber-rich owners will aim to spend again to support manager Eddie Howe in his pursuit of a Champions League place.
It’s difficult to see where Howe can strengthen his starting lineup right now. Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier are in the best form of their lives; the former is undroppable for anyone at this point.
However, Howe will want to ensure he has the squad depth to deal with the gruelling nature of injuries that generally happen in the second half of the campaign, and thus, a couple of quality additions are a must next month if they are to sustain a top-four push.
One of the positions the Magpies boss is seemingly targeting is the midfield, especially after receiving the news that Jonjo Shelvey will be out of action until mid-February with a serious calf injury, with his long-term future at Newcastle also up in the air.
In Shelvey’s absence, Bruno Guimaraes is the only deep-lying midfielder Newcastle have in their ranks, so Howe could target a player in a similar mould who could not only provide the defensive nous and work rate but also help in the build-up play with press resistance, ball progression, and passing.
They are believed to be considering a move for Chelsea’s soon-to-be free-agent midfielder, Jorginho; however, the Italian lacks the dynamism and does not fit the profile given his age and massive wages.
Leicester’s Tielemans is also an option, but his hefty wage demands are another obstacle. Alternatively, Nice’s Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kone—both 21 years old and playing for France Under-21s—have received a glowing report from the Toon scouting department and would likely be considered next month.
Out of the two, the name of highly coveted Bundesliga midfielder Kouadio Kone, also known as Manu Kone, stands out the most and fits the profile Newcastle wants like a glove.
Koné is a hard-tackling, aggressive, and powerful defensive midfielder who has the perfect blend of being able to retain the ball and play progressive passes while also offering an indomitable presence and the ability to dominate opponents in midfield.
In short, a complete package and certainly a star for the future, but he could also have an immediate impact on the Newcastle team as his presence in the middle of the park will push creator-in-chief Guimaraes further forward in the No. 8 or attacking midfielder role, so he will be able to impact offensive proceedings using those intricate patterns involving him, Trippier, and Almiron down the right side.
It is not clear whether the Bundesliga outfit are ready to sanction his departure in the middle of the season, though. Further, Newcastle will have to beat competition from Chelsea for his signature. Only time will tell whether the Magpies will launch the offensive for Kone next month or switch their radar to another target.
