3 minute learn
8/1/2023 | 09:40pm
Newcastle United are reportedly enthusiastic about RC Lens defender, Kevin Danso, with sporting director Dan Ashworth seemingly eager to strengthen the membership’s centre-back ranks.
What’s the phrase?
Based on French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are mentioned to be ‘actively working’ to enhance their squad forward of subsequent season, with the Austria worldwide a type of who the northeast facet are presently monitoring.
The report suggests {that a} swap might probably happen on the finish of the season, albeit with any deal set to value as a lot as €40m (£35m), with the 24-year-old’s present take care of the Ligue 1 outfit set to run out in 2026.
The 11-cap sensation has earlier, albeit transient, Premier League expertise which can be enticing to the St James’ Park outfit, having spent the 2019/20 season on mortgage at Southampton.
Most Learn on FootballFanCast.com
Bye-bye Lascelles
Though that stint with the Saints proved considerably underwhelming, because the 6 foot 3 brute solely featured ten instances throughout all fronts, the previous Augsburg man has since gone on to glitter after shifting to France again in the summertime of 2021.
The £8.5k-per-week sensation loved a fantastic debut marketing campaign final time period after averaging 1.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per sport from his 33 appearances, whereas additionally proving an actual risk going ahead after offering 4 purpose contributions in that point.
The one-time MK Dons youth asset has continued that stellar kind within the present marketing campaign after enjoying an important position in Lens’ outstanding title surge, having stored eight clear sheets in his 17 Ligue 1 begins, whereas successful 77% of his aerial duels and recording 1.1 tackles and 1.2 interceptions.
The “highly effective” titan – as described by Saints journalist Adam Leitch – was notably a part of the facet that triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain on New Yr’s Day, having made a whopping 5 interceptions and 6 clearances in opposition to the European giants, whereas additionally having fun with a 93% cross accuracy charge as a marker of his beautiful composure on the ball.
As such, had been Ashworth in a position to deliver Danso to Tyneside, the Austrian ace might nicely show a perfect improve on membership captain, Jamaal Lascelles, with the Englishman reportedly one in all a handful of Magpies property who might be allowed to depart this month.
That exit speak has come following the 29-year-old’s slide down the pecking order below supervisor Eddie Howe, with the long-serving determine having solely made seven appearances thus far this time period, together with simply 4 league outings.
The forgotten man has underwhelmed when he has featured within the prime flight as he averages simply 0.3 tackles and 0 interceptions per sport this time period, having stored solely two clear sheets in 26 league video games final season after averaging 0.8 tackles and 0.6 interceptions – a report far inferior to that of Danso.
Equally, whereas the latter man was serving to to maintain Kylian Mbappe and co at bay per week in the past, Lascelles’ newest outing noticed the £40k-per-week dud battle to take care of a Josh Windass-inspired Sheffield Wednesday facet, because the League One outfit claimed a shock FA Cup triumph.
That show – which noticed the defender endure some ‘robust moments‘ in accordance with the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder – has laid naked the necessity for a contemporary face within the backline, with Danso seemingly the improve that Newcastle are craving with a view to wave farewell to their present skipper.