Newcastle could potentially have the chance to capitalise on an emerging financial crisis for Ligue 1 clubs ahead of the January transfer window, with the Magpies interested in both Reims striker Boulaye Dia and Montpellier’s Gaetan Laborde.
Clubs in the French top flight have seen their finances take a major hit with a TV deal worth around $1.2 billion (roughly £890m) per year collapsing after Media Pro handed back their TV rights over Ligue 1 fixtures. That leaves a number of French clubs in financial trouble, with many now set to cut costs and potentially sell key players to generate funds, per Chronicle Live.
That could potentially open the door for the Magpies, who have been monitoring the form of Ligue 1’s second-highest scorer Dia, who has registered eight goals in his opening 12 league appearances. Newcastle have also been showing an interest in Laborde and are thought to be rivalling West Ham in pursuit of the Montpellier striker.
While Ligue 1 is no longer believed to be the principal destination for Newcastle’s recruitment, they still have scouts active in the French top flight. The club’s reputation for plundering players within the league has been boosted by the form of Allan Saint-Maximin since his move from Nice, per Chronicle Live.
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The Ligue 1 crisis could offer a major boost for the Magpies ahead of the January window, with Newcastle reportedly set to be working on and possibly limited to just making loan additions. However, were the likes of Dia and Laborde to suddenly become available on the cheap, it could see a change in strategy and an attempt to make permanent moves for the pair.
Both Dia and Laborde would likely not have been available cheaply in January due to their importance to their respective clubs. However, now both Reims and Montpellier could need to raise funds swiftly to offset the financial impact of the failed TV deal, potentially raising scope to negotiate reduced fees with them.
Newcastle should assess the market now available to them in Ligue 1 and consider whether it would be worth making a couple of moves for players in the league who might be available on the cheap. It is a market they have used well in the past, as illustrated by Saint-Maximin, and this could be a chance to pull off some potential bargain moves.
