Newcastle United have made contact with an £8.4m-rated goalkeeper over a move to the club, according to a new transfer update.
Huge final day awaits for Newcastle
The Magpies are 90 minutes away from completing one of the most successful seasons in their history, assuming they can seal victory at home to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season.
A win will confirm Newcastle's place back in the Champions League, which will be significant for so many reasons, including the financial benefits and the calibre of player they can attract to St James' Park in the summer transfer window.
eddie howe
Ahead of the game, Eddie Howe has issued a rallying cry, highlighting the importance of his team getting over the line: "The prize is so big that everyone is fighting as much as they can. We've never got ahead of ourselves. Now, it’s going to go to the end, to the last game, and who knows? The twists and turns are there for everybody. All we can do is our best. They've given so much this year. Now, we know we need one more big effort in this last match."
With the EFL Cup already won this season, ending Newcastle's 70-year wait for a trophy, the 2024/25 has already been memorable, but getting the job done on Sunday afternoon would be the icing on the cake. As mentioned, it will aid their summer transfer business, and a new update has emerged regarding a potential addition in goal.
According to Fraternite Matin [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are among the clubs to have made contact with Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana over a summer move to St James' Park. Wolves and Southampton are also believed to be in the conversation, and the trio have been encouraged that he would like to leave Angers and join one of them.
The 24-year-old could cost just £8.4m and possibly even less, while an agreement "could be reached quickly" once the highest bidder is confirmed - the player himself wants to choose the best option to progress his career.
Nigeria's William Troost-Ekong scores their first goal pass Ivory Coast's Yahia Fofana
It looks like Newcastle are prioritising a new 'keeper this summer, in order to at least provide competition for Nick Pope, if not replace him, and Fofana could be a strong option for them.
The 18-cap Ivory Coast international was named Angers' Player of the Year, following an impressive season that saw him start 33 matches and keep seven clean sheets in Ligue 1, with analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as an "athletic" player.
With Pope now 33 years of age, it is important that Newcastle sign a new 'keeper to be his eventual successor, but focus should also be on signing an immediate upgrade on him.
France's William Saliba and Aurelien Tchouameni in action with Croatia's Martin Baturina and Franjo Ivanovic Related
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The Magpies have stepped up their pursuit of a midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Magpies need to be ruthless in terms of improving the team and being a solid Champions League outfit, and in Fofana, they would have a relatively cheap and impressive option between the sticks.