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Newcastle United are aiming to recruit quality new players this summer in preparation for their Champions League campaign next season, and a new update on a prospective transfer target has emerged from a credible source.
What’s the latest on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Axel Disasi?
Newcastle United are likely to fight with Manchester United for the signing of Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi, according to Italian writer and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
“Both Newcastle and Manchester United are interested in signing Disasi, but no bids have been made.” Newcastle addressed the player side this week, and Monaco is anticipated to contact them.
“Ten Hag approved Disasi — talks on the player side have been ongoing for weeks, but we are still waiting for an approach from Monaco.” More to come.”
How talented is Axel Disasi?
Newcastle have already completed the arrival of Sandro Tonali this summer and are in talks to sign another winger, with a deal for Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes also being discussed.
Eddie Howe is clearly eager to strengthen important parts of his squad in order to continue competing at the highest level and win trophies as quickly as possible, so opportunities to add talent are unlikely to be passed up.
As a result, the signing of Disasi could be a great chance to add more quality into the defensive set-up and provide a position competitor for Fabian Schar next season, with the Newcastle titan now reaching the latter stages of his career at the age of 31.
The 25-year-old – who has a reported price tag of €50m (£43m) – is the perfect profile of player to fit Howe’s attacking style of play as the former Bournemouth boss likes to play with two ball-playing centre-backs who are confident in progressing the ball forward.
As per FBref, Disasi ranks in the top 7% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for touches, successful take-ons, progressive passes, progressive carries, assists and non-penalty goals, proving he is one of the most prolific ball-playing prospects in Europe over the last 12 months.
When compared to Schar, Disasi outperformed his Newcastle counterpart in a number of key attributes such as pass completion rate (83.3% v 77.1%), successful take-ons (72.4% v 30.8%), and aerial duels won (70.3% v 67.1%), demonstrating his defensive strengths alongside his progressive abilities.
The France international has received great praise throughout his career, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig describing the centre-back as “dominant” and similar to “Virgil van Dijk,” as well as claiming:
“Disasi is one of the most underappreciated young players in Ligue 1 right now.” A true hidden treasure. We don’t talk enough about him. He would be a fantastic addition to any big Premier League club. He was born in England to play.”
With that said, if the powerbrokers on Tyneside decide to make a concrete move for Disasi, it could spell the end of Schar’s time at St James’ Park, but it would also provide Howe with a worthy successor who could build a partnership with Sven Botman that would make Newcastle unstoppable for years to come.