Transfer News: Newcastle United join the race for Chelsea target Ibrahim Sangare
Chelsea are poised to face more competition for summer transfer target Ibrahim Sangare, with Newcastle United also joining the fray for the highly-rated PSV Eindhoven midfielder.
Sangare has attracted the attention of Chelsea’s long-time Premier League rivals Manchester United, who are also seeking reinforcements in midfield as part of their squad overhaul which has already seen the likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata being let go following the expiration of their contracts.
Liverpool were also quoted to be interested in the Côte d’Ivoire international, but the Reds’ club-record acquisition of Darwin Nunez is likely to limit the rest of their transfer activity. According to Football London, Newcastle United have now emerged as the latest club to be interested in the 24-year-old midfielder, who is believed to have a £29.9 million release clause in his PSV contract.
Sky Sports reports that a source close to Sangare has revealed that the Ivorian has his heart set on a move to England and is convinced that he will be a Premier League player next season. This is a strong indication of the player’s desire and ambition to play in a top league and challenge for silverware.
Sangare has been at the heart of Roger Schmidt’s 4-3-3 at PSV, playing as a defensive midfielder and thoroughly excelling in that role. He played 49 times across all competitions last season as the Dutch giants went on to lift the Dutch cup, reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, and finished second in the league behind Erik Ten-Hag’s Ajax.
What will Sangare bring to Chelsea?
The futures of Jorginho and N’golo Kante remain up in the air, with both midfielders having only one year left on their current deal. Kante has been instrumental to Chelsea’s success since he joined the West Londoners, helping the club win every trophy that is available to win.
In recent years, however, the durability of the Frenchman has come under the microscope. Over the last two seasons, Kante has started only 45 of a possible 76 Premier League games. With Chelsea expected to challenge on all fronts next season, cover in that area is key since Kante is Chelsea’s only available world-class ball-winning midfielder.
So it is only natural that Thomas Tuchel is looking for cover in that particular area, which will also ease some of Kante’s workload. Sangare’s attributes clearly signal that not only has he got the potential to provide valuable back-up when Kante is not available, but also he can make a point to be considered for a regular starting XI role if he excels.
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Despite the intervention from Newcastle, Chelsea have the benefit of Champions League football and the guarantee to challenge for silverware every year. That is something Sangare will surely take into account while making a decision on his future.