Newcastle and Man United battling for Wesley Fofana | OneFootball

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s interest in Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana.

What’s the talk?

According to French outlet BUT!Sainte, Manchester United and the Magpies are both interested in signing the French defender.

The report claims that the Red Devils could swoop with a bid for his services if Newcastle decide to make a bid in the January transfer window.

Would Fofana be a good signing?

Yes

Vote

No

Vote

Imagine him & Lascelles

PIF could land a dream centre-back partnership if they are able to bring Fofana to St James’ Park either in January or next summer. He could form a formidable bond with club captain Jamaal Lascelles at the back and instantly improve Newcastle’s defensive record.

Last season, the 20-year-old averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.00 in 28 Premier League appearances. The powerhouse made an eye-catching four tackles and interceptions combined per game whilst winning 58% of his duels overall, showing that he has the quality to excel at this level.

His excellent form led to him earning plenty of plaudits last season. Last November, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on the defender, calling him ‘colossal’.

He told talkSPORT: “We knew he was a top player for someone so young, and when we spoke to people out there and seeing all the clips, you could see he has anticipation as a defender, he has speed, he has aggression, he defends forward, so all the attributes we like here.

“I think the surprising thing is that if you look at the seven games he’s played and the level of the teams we’ve played, and the consistent run of games, how he’s coped with that. He’s absolutely colossal for a young guy.”

1 of 11

Can you beat this impossible Newcastle United quiz?! Starting off easy...

Alain Goma Didier Domi Louis Saha Olivier Bernard

This highlights what Fofana could offer to Newcastle and why he could make a perfect partner for Lascelles. The Magpies skipper has won 67% of his duels and made 5.6 clearances per game this season, but he can be accused of not having the pace to deal with balls over his head and in behind at times, which is why Fofana’s speed – as outlined by Rodgers – could bail him out.

Newcastle could have a young, athletic and pacey defender in Fofana partnered with a strong and experienced captain in Lascelles. Where the Frenchman may lack in his individual duels, the 27-year-old makes it up for it; and vice versa when it comes to dealing with longer passes, with Fofana able to sweep up at the back.