Newcastle United have received an early boost as they look to welcome summer additions, with one defensive target now available at a £26m price.
Newcastle target open to St James' Park move
The Magpies should have money to spare following the £69m sale of Anthony Gordon. It's partially why the pair parted ways without the usual anger that comes with a big move.
Just how Newcastle spend that money is now the big question. They will be more aware than most about how big transfer fees can be wasted. Just 12 months ago, they welcomed Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga in an attacking revamp. All have since failed to make their mark.
Newcastle United's most expensive signings of all time
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This time around, things must be different. Targets like Abde Ezzalzouli are already emerging as top targets and it's no shock that he's a top target to replace Gordon, having been involved in 28 goals at Real Betis this season.
Elsewhere, those in Tyneside are also targeting cover for Tino Livramento. According to Jeunes Footeux in France, Strasbourg are now ready to sell Guela Doue to Newcastle, who have made the right-back one of their top targets this summer.
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Priced at just €30m (£26m), Doue is certainly affordable for the Magpies following the boost of Gordon's sale. And when considering Livramento's injury history, a move for another right-back is undoubtedly understandable.
Newcastle wise to sign Doue this summer
Whilst it's Gordon stealing the headlines this summer, it wasn't so long ago that Livramento was on the radar of Manchester City. If those rumours return, the Newcastle must be prepared to lose the right-back and have an instant replacement lined up. That's where Doue could come in.
League stats P90 25/26 Doue Livramento
Minutes 2,063 1,328
Tackles 50 22
Assists 6 1
Recoveries 99 81
Duel success 53.2% 55%
In terms of similarities, Doue would be more than capable of stepping into the role at Newcastle. He's arguably a better creator and recovers possession better - two traits that Eddie Howe so desperately needs. So even if Livramento does leave in the near future, there's a potential upgrade in place.
guela-doue-strasbourg
With Strasbourg open to the sale and the price-tag not out of their range, the Magpies should have a routine run towards the defender's signature - avoiding last season's last-minute transfer drama which cost them so dearly throughout the campaign.
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