Newcastle set to move for Methalie – despite January setback

The January transfer window is here, and it sounds like Newcastle United plan to be ‘active’.

A mid-season boost is needed and it’s thought full-backs are high on Eddie Howe’s agenda, not just because of our recent injury list, ebut due to our struggle to perform when one of Lewis Hall or Tino Livramento are missing.

This brings us to Toulouse’s 19-year-old sensation Dayann Methalie, who is emerging as a key target this winter due to his big potential and ability to play at left-back or centre-back.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reports that a bid for the powerful defender is likely if Newcastle are given encouragement to do so, with the French Under-21 international scouted extensively and featuring prominently in recruitment meetings.

Craig Hope at The Mail has also backed this up, stating that an approach to sign Methalie is anticipated, with all members of the club’s transfer team in favour of signing the tall, athletic and technically able teenager.

Then comes a possible curveball. Methalie has had a knee issue of late and looks set to miss the coming weeks after a small procedure. However, an official update from Toulouse states that the injury is “not serious”, expecting him to return “within the next month.”

Mix that short term issue with the fact Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman are back from injury and I can’t see this forcing Newcastle to look elsewhere.

Like Kees Smit, such a highly-rated teenager may be tricky to sign mid-season, but Newcastle won’t abandon a long-term pursuit based on a minor injury.

Source from: nufcblog.co.uk