Newcastle have shown fresh interest in long-time Rafa Benitez target Stanley N’Soki, according to reports by Paris United.
The Paris Saint-Germain focused outlet have suggested the Magpies, along with Borussia Dortmund, LOSC Lille and Olympique de Marseille, are all interested in signing the 20-year-old this summer, and that PSG will not stand in the defender’s way if a substantial offer is received.
That is a somewhat different stance to the one the Ligue 1 champions took in January and last summer, when they knocked back advances by United, as we looked to take the defender on loan.
In January, particularly, the defender was deemed unavailable for a temporary transfer, as PSG wanted the prospect to remain a part of their title-chasing side, while avoiding the potential for the academy graduate to run his contract down – even though it was only signed in September and runs until 2021.
While Paris United did not state what price PSG may now accept, N’Soki is currently valued by TransferMarkt at £7.65million, having made infrequent outings for the Parisian outfit this term, on route to a second successive top-flight title.
The left-back also played a part in Thomas Tuchel winning the 2018 French Super Cup last August, when he assisted two of PSG’s four goals against Monaco.
They were N’Soki’s only assists of the season, however, despite going on to make a further 14 appearances across all competitions at either full-back or centre-half.
The French Under 21 international can also play at defensive midfield if required, but it is not a position Tuchel has deployed the Poissy-born ace in yet.
The German head coach may not get the chance to either, should we successfully tempt N’Soki to ditch the French capital for the North East of England, and we may be in the market for a new full-back this summer with Antonio Barreca’s loan from Monaco due to expire next month – having played four minutes in the Premier League.