In recent days, the future of Benoît Badiashile at AS Monaco has been questioned with the interest of Newcastle. Injured, the young Frenchman could finally stay in the Principality… An absence that could benefit OM?

Newcastle are in upheaval with arrivals and rumors multiplying since their takeover. Kieran Trippier was the first recruit in a long list, including investments in the position of central defender.

The English club have made their shortlist and for several weeks the name of Duje Caleta-Car has been mentioned as a potential lead. The Croatian still has a good rating in the Premier League despite not leaving for Liverpool and would be tracked by several clubs across the Channel.

Caleta-Car to replace Badiashile in Newcastle plans?

However, many media have claimed in recent days that the Magpies would rather have gone to Benoît Badiashile. The young French defender who moved to AS Monaco almost left Ligue 1 for Manchester United last summer and also keeps a good image in the Premier League.

READ ALSO : Mercato OM: Already a second recruit approaching? (If Bakambu is the first)

The sum of 30 million euros for a transfer to Newcastle was also mentioned… But Badiashile suffered a major injury which will keep him away from the field for several weeks and therefore compromises his departure for Newcastle! An injury that favors Caleta-Car in this case? One thing is certain, Jorge Sampaoli will want reinforcements in this position if the Croatian comes from this winter…

It’s an injury that falls very badly for Benoît Badiashile, coveted by Newcastle but injured in the thigh and absent for the next few weeks.https://t.co/1uwJw8eLv9

– RMC Sport (@RMCsport) January 11, 2022

A central/lateral defender and an attacking full-back, Sampaoli’s priorities

At a press conference, Jorge Sampaoli said he wanted to replace himself but rather on the left side to support Luan Peres. In this case, another central defender could come to replace Caleta-Car numerically.

“We have already commented on it before the club’s situation. The club is in a difficult economic situation which complicates the arrival of players that would be needed. The departure of Jordan allows us the arrival of a new player. He hasn’t played much with us. The club is in a restructuring. And we have to reduce a salary to recruit another player. We talked a lot about the winter transfer window and in June with Longoria and McCourt. It also depends on sales. In our opinion, we need three or four more players to have a full squad. (…) We are looking for a player with an axial profile capable of playing on the left side but also the profile of a more attacking side. We asked ourselves this question. We need these two profiles, we will look for the best possibility. It’s a tough transfer window. We need a few players to clone a fairly tight squad. We are looking for a seasoned player who will also give the opportunity to Luan Peres because he has played a lot. » Jorge Sampaoli – source: Press conference (06/01/2022)