Newcastle United latest news: Newcastle United and Everton have been linked with signing a Saudi Arabian international this summer.
Newcastle United are ‘closely monitoring’ AS Roma right-back Saud Abdulhamid - according to reports.
Abdulhamid is currently on-loan at Ligue 1 side RC Lens, but his future is currently up in the air with a return to Italy and a stay in France all possible once this season concludes. A move to England, and specifically Newcastle United, has also been suggested by reports from Team Talk.
According to those reports, Newcastle United have been ‘closely monitoring’ Abdulhamid’s progress this season and were in attendance during Lens’ 5-0 win over Paris FC last weekend. Abdulhamid registered an assist in that game for Wesley Said’s second of the match.
Heading into this weekend’s round of games, Lens topped the Ligue 1 table, one point clear of PSG. Former Newcastle United duo Florian Thauvin and Allan Saint-Maximin are current teammates of Abdulhamid at Lens - although it’s likely that the pair will give contrasting stories about their respective spells on Tyneside.
Everton, who make the trip to St James’ Park next weekend, have also been credited with an interest in the Saudi Arabian international. The Toffees and Roma, Abdulhamid’s parent club, are linked by Dan Friedkin who owns majority stakes in both clubs.
Newcastle United’s transfer plans & Man City latest
Newcastle United are expected to strengthen their defensive options this summer, with the club’s recent injury crisis in defence exposing their lack of depth in that area of the pitch. Kieran Trippier, meanwhile, has entered the final few months of his contract at the club, whilst Emil Krafth, who has been ruled-out for the rest of the campaign with a knee injury, may have played his last game for Newcastle United.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
If those two players left the club, they would leave a massive hole in the squad that would need to be filled when the summer transfer window opens. Adding to the club’s headache in that area of the pitch is the reports surrounding Tino Livramento’s future at the club.
Manchester City have long been admirers of the former Chelsea and Southampton man and it was anticipated that they would firm up that interest in him this summer. However, the Gazette understands that the Citizens’ interest in Livramento has cooled in recent times due to his injury record.
Livramento has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the middle of January and is not expected to return to action until next month. The 23-year-old missed nine matches between October and November with a knee injury earlier this campaign and was also ruled-out of their festive fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United and Burnley with injury.
If Livramento is sold this summer, then their preference to sign a right-back becomes a desperate need. Toulouse’s Dayann Methalie and Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys were linked with a move to Newcastle United during the January transfer window and could be players they go back in for this summer.
However, neither Methalie or Seys, or Abdulhamid for that matter, have any Premier League experience and whilst that does not necessarily mean they would be a flop in England, it would increase the pressure on them to fill the shoes left by Trippier, Livramento and co.
Continue Reading