Newcastle United are all set to battle it out with West Ham United for the signature of RSC Anderlecht defensive sensation Zeno Debast.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are keen on reinforcing their defence ahead of next season and they have their eyes set on Zeno Debast. The Belgian international has made quite a name for himself thanks to his impressive performances for Anderlecht, and there is no shortage of interest in his services.
Debast has come up the ranks at the Belgian club, and he has been a part of their first team since the summer of 2021. He has already established himself as a mainstay at the club, and his impressive performances have also seen him break into the Belgian national team.
The 20-year-old centre-back’s consistent performances, and his huge potential have attracted a lot of interest. Portuguese club Sporting CP are reportedly leading the race for his signature, having held meetings with his representatives. But they face stiff competition from clubs in England.
West Ham United are one of the clubs linked with the Belgian defender. The Hammers want to reinforce their back line ahead of next season, and they see Debast as a player who can help them in the short as well as long term.
Newcastle keen on Debast’s signature
But, Newcastle United are all set to rival them in their pursuit, having previously shown interest in him. The Magpies want to add a top-quality centre-back to the mix in the summer. Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are both currently out injured, and they might not return in time for the start of next season. As a result, defensive reinforcement is a top priority.
Their recruitment chief Steve Nickson was present in the stands of Wembley back in March to watch the 20-year-old in action against England in their 2-2 draw. The Belgian centre-back did put in an impressive performance that night and the Magpies do like his profile.
His ability to also feature as a right-back is a bonus for the English club. Meanwhile, the report states that the player has an agreement with the club that he can leave this summer for a fee of around £15-20 million, which should not be a problem for Newcastle if they manage to convince the 20-year-old for a move.
