Newcastle: Howe must sign Seko Fofana

Journalist Robin Bairner has supplied his ideas on Newcastle United‘s potential curiosity in RC Lens midfielder, Seko Fofana.

What’s the phrase?

Reports over the summer time had urged that each the Magpies – in addition to fellow Premier League facet Arsenal – had been eyeing a transfer for the Ivory Coast worldwide, with the Ligue 1 outfit stated to be demanding a price of round £34m for his companies.

Because it proved, no such deal emerged because the 27-year-old signed a brand new contract extension along with his present facet, whereas these at St James’ Park in the end ended the window with no new midfield addition, regardless of reported curiosity within the likes of Ibrahim Sangare and Edson Alvarez.

Whether or not the northeast facet make an method for the eight-cap gem within the close to future stays to be seen, though the aforementioned Bairner – chatting with GIVEMESPORT –  has talked up the advantages of a transfer, stating:

“I feel he’d match actually properly with Bruno Guimaraes. Fofana’s been a type of revelation in Ligue 1 since he moved from Udinese a few years in the past, he’s been undoubtedly among the finest central midfielders.

“Bruno was a powerful performer in Ligue 1, and Seko Fofana is form of related. Very robust attacking participant, he does most of his greatest work going forwards, is thought for his highly effective runs, his wonderful taking pictures, and he’s bought an excellent scoring report.

“His affect at Lens has been super, it’s very troublesome to overstate how good he’s been there.”

Think about him and Bruno

New additions within the centre of the park seem one thing of a necessity for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, with the Tynesiders at present nonetheless closely reliant on the standard of January arrival, Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazilian having laid on five purpose contributions in simply 11 league video games up to now this time period.

As Bairner alluded to, including Fofana into the combination might effectively be a perfect method to ease the burden on the membership’s rising cult hero, with the previous Udinese man having showcased his expertise in France of late, having been dubbed “arguably the best midfielder in Ligue 1 over the past 2 years” by journalist Zach Lowy.

The “phenomenal player” – as additionally described by Lowy – has two objectives and two assists within the league up to now this time period, having beforehand recorded ten objectives and two assists in all competitions in the course of the 2021/22 marketing campaign as a marker of his attacking expertise.

That high quality can also be evident by the £26k-per-week man’s high quality in possession as he ranks within the top 9% for cross completion amongst these in his place throughout Europe, whereas he has additionally showcased a willingness to drive his facet ahead from deep as he ranks within the high 13% for dribbles accomplished.

His potential midfield accomplice, Guimaraes, additionally ranks extremely as regards to that latter metric (high 14%), whereas the previous Lyon ace can doubtlessly make up for Fofana’s shortcoming defensively, as he ranks within the high 2% for tackles made, as per FBref.

The Paris-born starlet – who was as soon as on the books of Manchester Metropolis and loved a quick loan stint at Fulham within the second tier in 2014 – has loved a surprising rise lately, with Howe and co set to offer him with the platform to shine even brighter, as has been the case with Guimaraes.