With each passing day until the start of the January transfer window, it looks increasingly likely we’re moving away from the domestic market in favour of signing hidden gems from abroad.
After the difficult start to life on Tyneside for the likes of Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey, compared to the seamless adjustment to English football for European talents like Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade, it’s easy to why Ross Wilson sees the value in shopping abroad.
AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit may sit top of the list for dream January signings, whilst rising French star Kevin Danois from Auxerre also looks to be high on the transfer list for Eddie Howe and co.
But Danois doesn’t look to be the only Ligue 1 midfielder linked with a switch to the North East, as a new report reveals.
Mags eyeing Marseille talent?
According to reports in France, Newcastle are considering a move for Marseille midfielder Darryl Bakola.
This comes from French outlet Foot Mercato, who claim that Newcastle are ‘very interested’ in signing the 18-year-old, who also has admirers at Arsenal, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart.
He’s a name who will be familiar to Newcastle fans, as we already saw glimpses of the Frenchman in our recent game against Marseille in the Champions League.
Bakola grabbed an assist for Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang that night, and it’s believed that Marseille are trying to tie him down to a new deal beyond 2027 in light of his development and the interest received.
With the long term future of both Joelinton and Joe Willock beyond this ongoing season under question, midfield reinforcements will be needed sooner rather than latter: and it seems a young option is wanted.
Bakola ticks boxes
A common trend can be observed in just who were being linked with so far this season: young midfielders with big potential that won’t command Premier League premiums.
Bakola joins the list of growing players like the aforementioned Smit and Danois, along with Monaco’s Lamine Camara (21), as sporting director Ross Wilson and the recruitment team clearly have options in mind to bolster what’s available to Howe.
Entering the final 18 months of his contract in the new year, we’ll want to act quickly and decisively within the next two windows if we want to secure Bakola’s signature ahead of our league rivals.