Newcastle ‘very interested’ in signing Mahamadou Doumbia – Report

Newcastle United are in desperate need of reinforcements, with another midfielder added to the list when Sean Longstaff’s departure was confirmed last week.A new name has been linked, and it’s another that falls into that potential gem bracket, this time from the Belgian league.

Africa Foot reports that FC Antwerp star Mahamadou Doumbia a ‘priority target’ for Newcastle this summer, with the club thought to be ‘very interested’ in landing the 21-year-old.

The story even states that Newcastle have contacted the player’s representatives with a view to a potential transfer to St James’ Park.Doumbia has a £17m release clause in his Antwerp contract and has number of admirers across Europe, with Brighton, Everton, Sevilla, Marseille and Strasbourg all thought to be interested.

The midfielder has drawn comparisons to Yaya Toure for his ball-carrying ability, power and ability to shoot from range, with former Antwerp and Mali star Sambou Yatabaré previously saying Doumbia is “well suited to the Premier League”

Time will tell if he’s a genuine target in our bid to replace Longstaff, but he’d be a relatively low cost option to come into the squad.