Newcastle United to make approach for £40m contract rebel from Premier League rivals
Newcastle United continue to plug away in the transfer market despite many, many setbacks already this summer.
So far, the Magpies have only brought in Anthony Elanga for the first team, although a nine minute cameo by South Korean teenager Park Seung-soo has fans already hoping he'll be involved in the first team next seasson.
Newcastle went into the summer hoping to bring in a right winger, a central defender, a striker and a goalkeeper at a minimum. The right wing issue is now sorted, a new goalkeeper is inbound, but a central defender and striker are nowhere to be seen.
Eddie Howe is likely to need two strikers now with Callum Wilson leaving and Alexander Isak either leaving or playing against his will next season. Either is less than ideal. However, the Magpies are said to be in talks over Yoane Wissa from Brentford and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Jan Paul van Hecke has reportedly rejected a new contract at Brighton
That leaves the matter of a new centre-back to tend to. Last night, Newcastle were once again linked with Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, but today, rumours are gathering pace about a potential move for Brighton and Hove Albion star, Jan Paul van Hecke.
The 25-year-old Dutchman has been on Newcastle's watchlist all summer, and now it seems that van Hecke has rejected a new contract offer at Brighton, according to Voetbal International (via The Shields Gazette), which has given Newcastle confidence that a deal can be reached.
Reports suggest Newcastle have made an approach for the £40 m-rated defender, but there's obviously a long way to go yet.
It maybe worth Newcastle going after Jan Paul van Hecke and Malick Thiaw
Jan Paul Van Hecke was the player involved last season when Anthony Gordon was sent off in the FA Cup, forcing him to also miss the Carabao Cup final, so there could be a couple of apologies owed should he join the club.
If Newcastle were able to pull this off, we could have a very exciting back four with two of Englands best full-backs either side of two of Holland's best young centre backs.
Signing a player from a Premier League rival is always going to be tricky, and if van Hecke is valued at £40 million, we're likely going to have to pay more than that, whereas Malick Thiaw we know is available for around £21 million. To us, that seems like the better option. Although, given Sven Botman's recent injury record, it might not hurt to go after both.
