According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, Newcastle United are pressing ahead with plans to sign a Toulouse phenom defender. Simon Jones reports that Newcastle remain determined to move early for 19-year-old Dayann Methaliein despite the teenager recently undergoing knee surgery. The main reason behind making the move now would be geared toward staying ahead […]
According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, Newcastle United are pressing ahead with plans to sign a Toulouse phenom defender.
Simon Jones reports that Newcastle remain determined to move early for 19-year-old Dayann Methaliein despite the teenager recently undergoing knee surgery.
The main reason behind making the move now would be geared toward staying ahead of rival clubs that might end up posing a threat to Newcastle’s hopes to sign the youngster.
“Newcastle are expected to push ahead with a bid for Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie despite the 19-year-old undergoing knee surgery,” Jones wrote. ”The left-back, who can also play at centre back, has undergone a procedure to remedy knee pain but is expected back within a month and Newcastle want to head off competition for the talented teenager.”
Jones’ report makes clear that Methalie’s injury has not cooled Newcastle’s interest. Instead, the club view the situation as an opportunity to act decisively while other sides hesitate because of the recent operation.
Methalie is seen internally as a long-term defensive asset rather than a short-term fix, fitting Newcastle’s broader recruitment strategy of targeting young players with high ceilings.
Newcastle’s interest could also be driven, at least in part, by their current defensive issues affecting the Magpies’ depth on defense, even though Methalie shouldn’t be expected to fix any of that in the short term.
Eddie Howe’s side have been hit by injuries and uncertainty at full-back, while Kieran Trippier is entering the latter stages of his career and Dan Burn has been used as cover rather than a long-term solution. Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento remain first-choice options but both have dealt with fitness problems, increasing the urgency to strengthen the position at some point in the near future.
All of that said, Toulouse are not keen to sell their promising defender mid-season. Methalie recently signed a contract extension until 2029, strengthening the Ligue 1 club’s negotiating position and making a January deal more difficult. Even so, the Daily Mail suggests Newcastle are still exploring ways to push a move forward, while also monitoring loan options as a contingency move.
Category: General Sports
