Newcastle turn attentions to midfield as discussions opened over Ligue 1 standout

Word stemming from the media on Friday evening suggests that Newcastle United are working towards a fresh addition to the club’s midfield ranks.

Wood follows Trippier

The subject of transfers has of course proven headline news at St. James’ Park over the course of the last fortnight.

This comes as the newly-minted Magpies are finally afforded the chance to flex their financial muscle, backed by the eye-watering riches of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

The long-anticipated first signing of the Saudi era was made official late last week, in the form of Kieran Trippier’s arrival from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

The stopper, already boasting a wealth of Premier League experience owing to stints with Burnley and Tottenham, is understood to have set Newcastle back a sum of around £12 million, plus bonuses.

✍️ Newcastle United are delighted to announce the signing of Kieran Trippier from Atlético Madrid on a two-and-a-half-year deal!

Welcome, @trippier2!

⚫️⚪️

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 7, 2022

Then, this past Thursday, the 2nd winter arrival at St. James’ Park was too confirmed.

The player to have followed Trippier to Newcastle? Burnley hitman Chris Wood, in a rumoured £25 million deal.

All Black and White. 🇳🇿

Welcome, @officialcwood! ⚫️⚪️

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 13, 2022

Blas eyed

The winter transfer business on Tyneside, however, looks far from complete.

This comes with Eddie Howe’s men of course still in the thick of the battle against relegation in the Premier League, sitting 2nd from bottom, owing to just a solitary victory across the campaign to date.

And, as alluded to above, on Friday, a fresh insight into the efforts of the transfer team at St. James’ to add further to Howe’s first-team ranks has been provided.

The info comes courtesy of journalist Jacque Talbot, who reports that Newcastle have turned their attentions towards Ligue 1, amid the pursuit of fresh blood in the middle of the park.

This search has led the Magpies to Nantes, and more specifically midfield standout Ludovic Blas.

24-year-old Blas has bagged a none-too-shabby eight goals across 20 appearances in all competitions thus far this season, with the Premier League’s richest club, in turn, having gone as far as to open discussions with Nantes over his signing.

The Geordies, though, have been joined by fellow relegation candidates Watford in the hunt for Blas, with the Hornets too pushing hard for a deal:

EXCLUSIVE: Understand Newcastle and Watford are in discussions to sign Ligue 1 star Ludovic Blas.

The 24-year-old is talking to the Premier League relegation rivals who are set to play tomorrow, while there is also interest from Lille and in the Bundesliga. #NUFC #Hornets

— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) January 14, 2022

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