Newcastle United Opinion: Why the Magpies should go for Ibrahim Amadou

According to January’s report from Football Espana, Newcastle United were interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Ibrahim Amadou.

The Cameroon-born Frenchman, 25, joined Sevilla from Lille last summer but has started just five league games this season. However, his start in life at Seville didn’t go as per the scripts as he spent a couple of months on the sidelines with muscle and elbow injury.

Even after recovering full fitness, Ibrahim Amadou has been in and out of the team, although he has managed 29 appearances across all competitions thus far. The 25-year-old would want to complete his first season in La Liga and generally stay put in Seville but the situation may change if he doesn’t get regular game time from now on and until the end of the season.

As Amadou is 25 and will be entering his prime in a year or so, he cannot waste his time warming benches for Sevilla. The French midfielder is a talented player and if he wants to reignite his career, regular game time and proper coaching will be important.

Rafael Benitez could certainly provide that from next season as Newcastle United could embrace an overhaul in the midfield. The Magpies clearly need reinforcements ahead of next season, especially in central midfield. Mohamed Diame remains in the final months of his current deal, while Jonjo Shelvey has attracted interest from West Ham.

Isaac Hayden, regardless of impressing since Christmas, is keen to return south to be nearer his family. Ki Sung-yueng has played very little in his debut season at Tyneside and will certainly look to make an impact next term. Sean Longstaff was enjoying his breakthrough campaign before a knee injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Signing Amadou in the summer would be a step in the right direction as he’ll provide quality to the midfield as well as depth to the squad. He primarily functions as a defensive midfielder but can also feature in central defence when required. The 25-year-old will add more energy and bite to the Newcastle midfield when paired with either Diame or Longstaff.

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The former Lille man isn’t known for being flashy on the ball and score goals but he excels in keeping things tidy in the engine room that makes the team tick over. Amadou loves using his strength and power to break opposition’s play, whilst maintaining calmness on the ball when required.

Verdict

Known for his defensive diligence, work-rate, energy and versatility, Amadou should be an absolute no-brainer for Newcastle ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. The former France youth international has the attributes to thrive in the Premier League and Benitez should go all out in his pursuit of the 25-year-old in the summer.