da dobrowin： Former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has spoken to Newcastle target Charles De Ketelaere following links of a move to St James’ Park.
The Lowdown: Newcastle links
da supremo： Nicknamed ‘King Charles’, the creative 21-year-old midfielder appears to be on Newcastle’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
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Reports have linked the Magpies with a move for the Club Brugge star, suggesting that they were in the picture for a potential €40m (£33.3m) deal at the end of the season.
De Ketelaere has been in fine form in recent months, contributing to 26 goals in 41 games in all competitions in 2021/22, with Pep Guardiola impressed by the Belgian’s display against Manchester City in the Champions League during the autumn.
The Latest: Mignolet’s comments
Sport Witness relayed comments from De Ketelaere in a story on Saturday.
The 6 foot 3 midfielder was told by former Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolet that ‘there’s not much to do in Newcastle’, with the 34-year-old possibly trying to put him off a move to England.
The Verdict: Shrewd target
De Ketelaere appears to be a star of the future and has impressed in the Jupiler Pro League with plenty of goals and assists.
The Magpies will have the funds for a big-money transfer following their takeover, so it could be a realistic deal to pursue, so long as the player isn’t put off by a move to Tyneside after Mignolet’s comments.
Newcastle have just two attacking midfielders on the books at this moment in time, so bringing in a third could be a shrewd move in the long run.
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