Newcastle United may be looking for new defenders, but the rumours linking the Magpies to Axel Disasi again surely don’t make any sense.
The signing of Malick Thiaw has been a great success for Newcastle United this season, but who partners him at the heart of the defence is another matter.
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Dan Burn is currently the obvious choice, but he’s having to play as a left-back at times. Meanwhile, Fabian Schar is seemingly coming to the end of his Newcastle career.
Clearly, then, defensive reinforcements are needed. Eddie Howe wants a full-back, but Newcastle are being continually linked with centre-halves, even if the latest name is simply not suitable.
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Reports link Newcastle United with Axel Disasi again
According to a report from Caught Offside, Newcastle are one of the clubs looking at signing Axel Disasi from Chelsea.
It is said Galatasaray, Juventus, and West Ham are all keen on Disasi as well, while Lyon may be eyeing up a short-term loan deal for January.
This is not the first time Newcastle have been linked with the Chelsea man, though. In fact, Eddie Howe rebuffed the plan to sign Disasi back in the summer of 2024.
Links to Disasi surfaced again this summer, but still no deal was struck and Disasi is now on the fringes at Chelsea. An exit seems likely, but it’s clear that Eddie Howe is simply not interested in the player.
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Ismael Doukoure is a far better option for Newcastle United
What we know from the past reports on Disasi and Newcastle is that Howe essentially wanted Marc Guehi more than any other target. He didn’t consider Disasi a suitable match for the Magpies, and that’s the right call, in all honesty.
But, if Howe is looking for a new centre-back, he could well shop in the Chelsea pool, so to speak. BlueCo, the consortium who own Chelsea, also own French club Strasbourg, and it’s there that Newcastle could find a brilliant transfer option.
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Ismael Doukoure is only 22-years-old but he’s played more than 100 games in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg since joining from Valenciennes in 2022.
The young Frenchman is comfortable on the ball, reads the game fantastically, and uses his physicality well; all attributes you’d apply to Marc Guehi. But, Doukoure is also versatile enough to play at right-back or even push up into defensive midfield if needed.
That kind of flexibility would be hugely beneficial for a Newcastle side lacking in squad depth. Throw in the fact that Doukoure is valued at just over £15m by Transfermarkt, and you’re looking at a relatively inexpensive option with lots of potential.
Now, Newcastle just have to hope that Chelsea don’t make a move first.
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