According to French outlet RMC, Newcastle have now ‘agreed terms’ to sign Valenciennes defender Sikou Niakate – however the player’s entourage are ‘increasingly concerned’ that a €3m (£2.7m) fee may not be agreed before tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
Niakate is 19-year old defender who can operate both at centre-back and left-back, having played 29 times for Valenciennes last season – a side who finished 13th in Ligue 2 for 2017/18 .
Here’s a snippet from GFFN’s ‘breaking news’ on the defender, claiming we’ve ‘agreed a provisional contract’, but suggesting that we are met to agree a fee:
‘RMC report this morning that Premier League side Newcastle United have agreed a provisional contract with 19-year-old Valenciennes defender Sikou Niakaté.
‘The Ligue 2 side value the player at €3m, and the player’s entourage is becoming increasingly concerned that a fee agreement won’t be reached in time before the English summer transfer window closes.’
This is a worrying transfer link on a few fronts.
Firstly, it is a concern if we’re now looking at signing a teenager playing in the French second tier to come in as cover for Lejeune and at left-back, and secondly, are we really that short on cash that we can’t even pay £2.7m for a highly-rated young defender?
Breaking | Newcastle United have agreed personal terms with Valenciennes defender Sikou Niakaté – full story https://t.co/RtWHXwKb0W
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 8, 2018
Valenciennes are asking Newcastle for around €3m for 19-year-old central defender Sikou Niakaté, but the player's entourage is worried that the deal won't be done – full story https://t.co/RtWHXwKb0W
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 8, 2018
