Benoit Badiashile opens up about PL move; Newcastle, West Ham ready for summer tussle

Monaco star Benoit Badiashile admits he dreams about playing in the Premier League, with Newcastle and West Ham said to be keen on the defender.

The 21-year-old has been turning heads with his displays for the principality outfit. And, in addition to the Magpies and Hammers, Manchester United are also thought to hold an interest in the France Under-21 ace. The Red Devils tried to sign the centre-back in the summer of 2020 but saw their £22m bid rejected.

Newcastle and West Ham are thought to have made offers in the recent January window. Eddie Howe’s side supposedly offered £33m but were given short shrift.

And it seems as though the Ligue 1 outfit want in the region of £40m for the rangy stopper. Whether or not the north-east outfit return with another bid in the summer only time will tell.

But they certainly have the resources after the Saudi-backed takeover. Howe used his funds wisely in the winter window, recruiting well to aid his side’s ascent away from the relegation zone.

And, with three games to go, the Tynesiders sit tenth in the table, with 43 points to their name. It is inevitable that there will be further new faces arriving at St James’ Park in the summer.

And Badiashile is clearly open to the idea of playing in the Premier League.

“I had some contact with English clubs (in January), but this was just informal contact,” he told Goal France. “For me, the Premier League is the best league. So, naturally, I dream about it.”

Newcastle were desperate to sign a central defender in the winter window. Howe was hoping to tighten up his defence for what he felt would be a relegation battle, with Sven Botman on the radar.

But they failed to land the Dutchman and will need to go back into the market in the off-season.