Ashworth eyeing Newcastle swoop for "unplayable" £25m "phenom", imagine him & Bruno G - opinion

Newcastle United could launch a move for Seko Fofana this summer…

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who recently revealed the Magpies’ interest in the RC Lens midfielder to GIVEMESPORT.

He said:

“They also like Seko Fofana at Lens. So, I think there are all sorts of players right now.”

The 27-year-old, who was once on the books at Premier League champions Manchester City, is expected to cost around £25m.

Despite never making a senior appearance at the Etihad Stadium, the Ivory Coast international has emerged as one of Ligue 1‘s standout stars in recent seasons.

FBref cite City star Ilkay Gundogan and Barcelona man Frenkie de Jong as statistically similar players and it’s easy to see why, given the level at which he has been performing over the past 365 days.

Fofana, when compared to his positional peers across Europe, ranks amongst the top 1% for total shots (2.63 per 90), the top 2% for dribbles completed (1.93 per 90) and the top 10% for progressive carries (6.49 per 90).

The Lens star, dubbed “unplayable” and “very reliable” by journalist Said Amdaa, could therefore be a fine addition to Eddie Howe’s engine room and one that could form a frightening duo with Bruno Guimaraes, who has already taken to the northeast like a duck to water.

After providing nine goal contributions across 38 appearances in the French top-flight, the Magpies could have two lethal midfielders in the final third, given just how well the Brazilian has done in the Premier League so far (six goal contributions in 11 starts).

Elsewhere, Fofana’s manager Franck Haise has dubbed him “the most complete player”, whilst journalist Zach Lowry has lauded him as a “phenom,” too.

The £22.5m-rated machine would be a mighty fine acquisition for