Newcastle United are reportedly lining up a very ambitious move for in-demand Monaco centre-back Aymen Abdennour, according to the Metro.
Kristan Heneage of the Guardian has also confirmed Newcastle’s interest but insists the club are ‘still some distance from agreeing a deal from Abdennour’ and claims Olivier Kemen could be used as a makeweight. Monaco had a £700,000 bid for the young Frenchman rejected earlier today.
It is said that Monaco value the player at £20million and AC Milan, Liverpool and Barcelona have all shown interest in signing he defensive powerhouse. The Tunisian’s future at current club Monaco is in doubt after his agent said he was looking for a move away this summer. However, the chances of Newcastle actually landing Abdennour have been dented as his agent has agent Kader Jilani confirmed Italy is his client’s priority.
Jilani was quoted on TMW, as reported by the Shields Gazette, saying: “The truth is that Aymen Abdennour is going to leave. Aymen wants to have a new adventure and there are opportunities in Italy, Spain and England.
“Serie A is his priority. He would like that a lot. There have already been some contacts with AC Milan, for example, as well as Roma and Inter Milan, who have also shown interest. I can’t confirm for Juventus.”
“We’re carefully weighing up different possibilities. What is clear is that it’s the player’s wish to leave.”
Abdennour has established himself as one of the most demanding and strong centre-backs in Ligue 1 and it’s no surprise that top European clubs are after his signature. This news comes after the announcement of the signing of Florian Thauvin for £13m plus Remy Cabella on a season-long loan and if McClaren and company can pull this deal off, it would put the icing on the cake for Newcastle.
Even though the club have spent in excess of £50m this summer, many fans feel that the defence needs strengthening, particularly the central defensive area – and Aymen Abdennour most certainly fits the bill. Fingers crossed that these rumours come to the surface, and we can finally think about getting into the top 8 once again!
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