Newcastle: Magpies keen on Colley | OneFootball

An update has emerged on Newcastle target Omar Colley, regarding Sampdoria’s valuation of the defender…

What’s the talk?

According to SampNews24, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle are one of a number of clubs keeping close tabs on Sampdoria central defender Omar Colley this summer. Fellow Premier League sides Leeds and West Ham are also said to be keen on the enforcer, whose future in Italy is said to be uncertain at this moment in time.

The report claims that Sampdoria’s president, Massimo Ferrero, is unwilling to budge on his valuation and will not allow Newcastle, or anyone else, to negotiate a fee under £8.5m for the centre-back.

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Better than Fernandez

Mike Ashley must ensure that he can get a deal over the line for Colley in the coming weeks as he could be a fantastic signing for Steve Bruce’s squad. He would up the quality of the ex-Villa boss’ centre-back options and that could make the £8.5m fee a dream deal for Newcastle.

Federico Fernandez started 24 of Newcastle’s Premier League matches last season and averaged an unimpressive WhoScored rating of 6.64. The 32-year-old was not a weak link in the side or a consistently poor performer, but his displays suggest that the Magpies could improve on his position in the team. He could revert to the role of a back-up and provide strong competition for places, with Bruce knowing that he can come in and do a reliable job when needed.

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Colley, however, could come in and be an impressive player at the back. The 28-year-old averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 6.92 in 28 Serie A starts for Sampdoria, which shows that he is a stronger centre-back than Fernandez at the top level. He made 2.3 interceptions per game compared to Fernandez’s 0.7, suggesting that he is able to read the game more effectively than the Argentine.

Therefore, the Sampdoria beast could be a superb signing for Newcastle and good value for money at £8.5m. He is in the peak years of his career, at 28, and has proven himself to be an excellent performer on the pitch. Hopefully, Ashley will be able to oust West Ham and Leeds in the race for his signature and add the towering 6ft 3 powerhouse to Bruce’s squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

AND in other news, “Absolutely worth a punt” – Exclusive: Pundit urges NUFC to seal bargain deal for 6 ft 4 beast…