According to reputable French outlet L’Equipe, Newcastle are looking to tie up a deal to bring St Etienne winger Jonathan Bamba to the club at the end of the season – with the 21-year-old available on a free this summer after failing to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 club.
This isn’t the first time we’ve been credited with an interest in the winger, however L’Equipe now report that St Etienne are resigned to losing him on a free in the summer, meaning he is available to sign a pre-contract agreement on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the season.
L’Equipe claim that Huddersfield are also in the mix for his signature, with both clubs said to be in talks over bringing him to England.
Saint-Etienne's Jonathan Bamba will be out of contract come June. Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United are currently monitoring the 21-year-old winger's situation in Ligue 1. #ASSE #HTFC #NUFC pic.twitter.com/i89zwTtJlX
— The 4th Official (@Official_T4O) February 14, 2018
The French Under-21 international has 7 goals and 7 assists in Ligue 1 so far this season despite St Etienne’s struggles, with him being able to operate on either wing or as a central striker.
Sounds like the sort of deal Mike Ashley loves. A free agent signing whose got high potential and room for improvement at just 21.
This may just be the sort of deal we can get done under the radar if we moved quickly, although I doubt he’s in any rush to commit early given there’ll no doubt be a great deal of interest in such a deal.
Here’s him in action: