Serie A defender who ‘could settle’ in PL still ‘appeals’ to Newcastle

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Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a summer swoop for Sampdoria defender Omar Colley but only if they can fight off relegation and remain in the Premier League.

The Magpies’ top-flight future hangs in the balance after a dreadful run of form. Having held their own for the first half of the campaign, they have plummeted down the table since mid December. A run of two wins and six draws from 19 games sees them 17th in the table. The Tynesiders are three points better off than 18th-placed Fulham and do have a game in hand.

But it looks like going down to the wire and it is anyone’s guess as to who will fall through the trapdoor. Newcastle have conceded 50 league goals this term and, with the strikers misfiring, it is a recipe for disaster.

There have been signs of life in recent times, with four draws in their last five games. But a run of positive results for the Cottagers would see Steve Bruce’s side plunged into the bottom three.

Should they manage to beat the drop, it is unlikely that owner Mike Ashley will sanction any big-money summer deals. However, there will be new faces and Colley has been linked before, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

The north-east outfit were thought to hold an interest last summer but nothing materialised.

Premier League keen on Colley

The Magpies are by no means the only English top-flight club following the Gambia international. Leeds United, West Ham and Fulham have all been mentioned in connection with the 28-year-old.

He has been with the Serie A club since the summer of 2018 and been a regular Serie A starter. The talented stopper has enjoyed 21 league outings for the Blucerchiati this term and chipped in with one goal.

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Another club who have been linked in the past is Liverpool. They were thought to be keen in September last year but he remained with Samp.

In hindsight, Colley would have been a welcome addition with what has happened to the Reds in 2020-2021. Virgil van Dijk’s injury plus long-term problems for Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, means Jurgen Klopp has been fielding a makeshift backline.

Jordan Pickford, Virgil van Dijk TEAMtalk

The trio should be back next season and there will be no need to sign Colley. But the report states that the African ‘could settle down in the Premier League’, as he ‘appeals to Newcastle after their missed transfer in January’.

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