Newcastle United may have a backup plan if they are unable to sign Amadou Onana from Everton this month.
The 22-year-old has emerged as a major target for the Magpies, as they search for a new midfielder in the wake of Joelinton’s season-ending injury.
Amadou Onana has been on Newcastle’s radar for a long time, and now the Telegraph believe they are looking into possibly loaning him from Everton this month before paying £50million in the summer transfer window.
That is a lot of money to spend on one player. In fact, it would make Onana the third most expensive player in Newcastle United’s history.
Whether or not Everton will be willing to do business remains to be seen, but Newcastle do reportedly have an alternative avenue they can go down if the Toffees say no.
Philip Billing is Newcastle’s cheaper alternative to Amadou Onana
According to the same report from the Telegraph, Newcastle view Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing as a cheaper alternative to Onana.
The Denmark international was first linked with the Magpies on Thursday night, but this update from Luke Edwards states that a deal for the 27-year-old would be difficult to do during the January transfer window.
Newcastle have already approached Bournemouth about one of their players this month, enquiring about a possible deal for Dominic Solanke. Their advances were turned down, and you have to imagine it would be the same situation with Billing.
That will disappoint Eddie Howe, who is a big fan of the Bournemouth midfielder. He was actually the manager who brought him to the Vitality Stadium, and has previously described Billing as an ‘outstanding athlete‘.
That is exactly what Newcastle need in the middle of the park right now amid Joelinton’s absence, but they will also get that from Onana if they can do a deal for him.
While Billing might be cheaper, Onana would definitely be a better signing in the long run. He is much younger, and has a lot more potential.
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