Newcastle United Pursue French Centre-Back Tobido for €40m
Newcastle United is eyeing a potential transfer move for French centre-back Jean-Clair Tobido, according to reports. The Premier League club has reportedly made contact with OGC Nice in hopes of securing Tobido’s services for a fee of around €40-45 million.
Although Tobido has been extensively linked with a move to Newcastle in the French media, speculation in England has been relatively quiet. The 20-year-old defender, who began his career at Barcelona before joining Nice on loan and subsequently making the move permanent in 2021, has been impressive during his time at the French club, making over 100 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.
While Newcastle faces competition from Aston Villa and West Ham for Tobido’s signature, it is believed that the centre-back is content at Nice and may choose to stay despite the interest from other clubs. The report suggests that a potential asking price of €40-45 million would be enough to initiate negotiations with Nice. However, Tobido has already dismissed the possibility of a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Financial expert Kieran Maguire has weighed in on Newcastle United’s situation, highlighting the scrutiny the club may face regarding the potential sale of Allan Saint-Maximin to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli. Maguire acknowledges that transactions involving institutions from Saudi Arabia are likely to attract extra attention. He points out that critics may view the transfer as a related-party transaction since both Newcastle United and Al Ahli are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Maguire also highlights the existence of multi-club ownership models in football, citing the numerous transactions between Watford and Udinese as an example. He suggests that negotiations between friendly parties, in this case Newcastle and Al Ahli, may be more straightforward than with other clubs aiming to maximize profits or minimize expenditure.
Given the scrutiny Newcastle is under from the Premier League and rival clubs, Maguire suggests that the club will approach the deal with caution, ensuring all necessary details are met. This way, they can navigate the potential challenges associated with the transaction effectively.
In summary, Newcastle United is reportedly pursuing a transfer move for French centre-back Jean-Clair Tobido, with a fee of around €40-45 million being rumored. The defender has impressed during his time at Nice but currently shows signs of contentment at the French club. Additionally, financial expert Kieran Maguire highlights the scrutiny Newcastle may face regarding a potential transfer deal involving Allan Saint-Maximin and Al Ahli. The club is expected to tread carefully to address the concerns of the Premier League and rival clubs.
