Why Newcastle should sign this 24-year-old Serie A ace to add depth to this key area

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Seko Fofana would be a smart addition to Newcastle United

Back in June 2019, the Calciomercato (h/t The Shields Gazette) had claimed that Newcastle United were interested in signing Udinese’s Seko Fofana. However, a deal didn’t go through and he continued to ply his trade in the Serie A.

Seko Fofana, 24, failed to make the grade at Manchester City but he has really established himself as a regular presence at the heart of Udinese’s midfield in the last couple of years. Last season, he made 31 appearances in Serie A, scoring two goals. The Paris-born midfielder has registered a goal and four assists in 21 league appearances for Udinese this season.

Seko Fofana of Udinese Calcio competes for the ball with Christian Eriksen of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli. (Getty Images)
Seko Fofana of Udinese Calcio competes for the ball with Christian Eriksen of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli. (Getty Images)

With Fofana enjoying another solid campaign in Serie A, Newcastle United must rekindle their interest in the player when the summer transfer window opens.

The Magpies signed Joelinton from Hoffenheim last summer. During the January transfer window, they signed Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro and Danny Rose to their roster – all on loan. However, results haven’t been that great as Steve Bruce’s side currently lie 13th in the table.

The Newcastle board have to be ambitious if they are to see their club improve next term, with the midfield and attacking department requiring bolstering. Isaac Hayden has been a regular fixture in the middle of the park this season. Jonjo Shelvey has endured an injury-hit campaign, while Sean Longstaff has been in and out of the team.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce reacts angrily on the touchline. (Getty Images)
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce reacts angrily on the touchline. (Getty Images)

Matty Longstaff broke into the senior side this season and has done well in few games but Bruce needs more creativity and energy in the midfield to ease the burden on his forwards. That makes Seko Fofana such a brilliant fit at Newcastle.

Fofana has been a consistent performer in Serie A in recent years and is a box-to-box midfielder who is adept at operating in different positions across the midfield. He can be an attacking threat for the Magpies and would also do the defensive job when required.

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Matty Longstaff (R) and Andy Carroll (L) on the left celebrate. (Getty Images)
Matty Longstaff (R) and Andy Carroll (L) on the left celebrate. (Getty Images)

Verdict

The Paris-born man would add depth to the squad. He has proven himself in Serie A and certainly has the age on his side to keep improving.

Fofana would be a smart addition to the Magpies’ midfield considering the resources they have at their disposal right now. All in all, the Toon Army must sign him from Udinese.