
Newcastle United
Premier League • England
Eddie Howe licking his lips as Newcastle target Sangare reveals why PL move a ‘dream’

Newcastle and Leicester have been boosted in their pursuit of PSV star Ibrahim Sangare as the midfielder revealed playing in the Premier League is a dream.
The 24-year-old is about to conclude his second season for the Eredivisie outfit. And it might end with silverware in the trophy cabinet as the Rood-witten are still in the title hunt. With three games to play, Roger Schmidt’s side trail table-topping Ajax by four points.
The Ivory Coast international has played his part, making 23 starts among 26 league appearances. He is primarily a defensive midfielder, but the African has chipped in with three goals.
The former Toulouse star also made 15 appearances across three different European competitions this term. He played six times in qualifying as PSV just missed out on a place in the group stage of the Champions League.
The talented schemer enjoyed four outings in the Europa League before turning out on five occasions in the Europa Conference League. He has received glowing praise for his displays and, unsurprisingly, a few top clubs have been linked.
Options open for Sangare
Arsenal were mentioned as possible suitors back in October last year. But it is the Magpies and Foxes who now seem interested.
With funds at his disposal, St James’ Park chief Eddie Howe is thought to have made a bid in January. He failed to land his target but may well return for another shot in the summer.
And it seems as though the Ivorian favours a move to England after the Dutch season is finished.
“I am a PSV player, and I am concentrating on the three games we have left this season,” he told De Telegraaf. “I don’t have my head in other things. After that, I’ll go on holiday, and I’ll have time to talk about possible next projects, but until then I don’t want to worry about that.
“Playing in the Premier League is not only a dream of mine but a dream of every footballer. That is the biggest and most important league in the world.”
Legends draw Sangare to Premier League
It appears as though the man from Koumassi is keen to emulate his compatriots who have graced the English top flight.
“As a little boy in Ivory Coast, Chelsea was the club of my heart. Because Didier Drogba, the best Ivorian striker ever, played there,” he added. “He is one of my great idols.
“Later, I also became a fan of Manchester City when Yaya Toure played there. Like me, he played in midfield. Drogba and Toure are the great legends of Ivorian football. Players who really put African football on the map.”
Newcastle certainly have the resources to sign a player valued at around £30m. And their surge up the table over the second half of the season makes them an attractive proposition for any potential new faces.
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