Transfer insider: Newcastle now "might come in for" 6 ft 5 midfield colossus

Newcastle United have ‘been keeping an eye on’ LOSC Lille’s highly-rated midfielder Amadou Onana, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Magpies have brought in Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope so far this summer and are expected to add a few more fresh faces to Eddie Howe’s ranks over the coming weeks.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth reported that West Ham recently had a €23 million (£19.6m) offer rejected by Lille for Onana.

It’s claimed that the Ligue 1 outfit are reluctant to sell the 20-year-old, while the Hammers ‘remain interested’ and are deciding whether to return with an improved offer.

Onana only arrived at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy last August from German outfit Hamburger SV and still has four years remaining on his current contract.

Therefore, the one-cap Belgium international is likely to set any potential suitor back a significant sum, and Lille will surely be hoping a bidding war ensues for one of their most promising assets.

Roshane Thomas of The Athletic has claimed that Premier League giants Arsenal are also interested in snapping up Onana, who is valued at £26m by CIES, alongside West Ham.

And Jones has now provided an update on the defensive midfielder’s situation, stating that he is also on Newcastle’s radar and that ‘they might come in for’ this summer.

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In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I know that with Onana, Newcastle have been keeping an eye on him too.

“So, if they were to look for somebody who’s not especially high-profile, but somebody of a specific style and a defensive midfielder, then they might come in for him too.”

At 6 foot 5, Onana is certainly a physical presence in the middle of the park,