Newcastle United are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Dango Ouattara amid talk of Alexander Isak leaving the club at the end of the season.
It is no secret that Liverpool and Arsenal will be aiming to test the Magpies’ resolve for Alexander Isak when the transfer window reopens in June. The Swede has been a prolific goalscorer for Eddie Howe’s side, netting 19 goals and supplying five assists in 25 Premier League outings this season.
Newcastle United are desperate to keep Isak long-term but it would be difficult to do that should they miss out on Champions League football for the second season running. As a result, they are already planning for their star striker’s potential departure by targeting a player from Premier League rivals.
The Toon Army have reportedly made contact with Bournemouth over the possible signing of Dango Ouattara. Negotiations have seemingly started to close out an early deal for the Burkina Faso international, with a mooted €40 million price.
Dango Ouattara has enjoyed a fine season with Bournemouth
Ouattara, 23, has impressed for the Cherries this season, making the most of the opportunities he’s had due to injuries to some of the key forwards. The African winger has played a vital role in Bournemouth sitting just five points adrift of the top-four places with seven goals and four assists in 26 appearances.
The 23-year-old’s sizzling displays—both out wide and centrally as a No.9—have caught the attention of Newcastle. And the Eddie Howe-managed club have acted quickly by opening talks with Bournemouth and the player’s entourage for Ouattara.
The Tyneside-based outfit view the Bournemouth starlet as a potential replacement for Isak, who will likely depart the club if Champions League isn’t secured by the end of the season. While Ouattara can play anywhere across the front line, whether he can fill the boots of Isak at Newcastle will be an interesting watch.
At 23, the Burkinabe Faso international has room to develop, and after two seasons at the Vitality Stadium, a switch to St James’ Park would be a step up in his career. The former Lorient man would also be a solid rotational option in attack for Howe next season.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
