Newcastle transfer news: Toon face more competition to sign Cody Drameh

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Newcastle United reportedly want to sign Cody Drameh – but they will face competition to secure his signature.

The Leeds youngster emerged as a target late last week. The Daily Mail reported that the Magpies are keen to bring the 20-year-old to St James’ Park, as they eye a young backup for Kieran Tripppier.

That was on the club’s agenda during the summer when Harrison Ashby nearly arrived on deadline day. A deal for the West Ham defender collapsed, but he is still someone Newcastle reportedly want to sign.

However, Dan Ashworth has identified an alternative in Drameh. The right-back has a lot of potential, and thrived on loan at Cardiff last season.

But he is struggling for minutes at Leeds under Jesse Marsch, leading to speculation that he could leave Elland Road.

Newcastle are keen, but they’re not the only club tracking him.

Newcastle face competition to sign Cody Drameh

When news of Newcastle’s interest in Drameh emerged, the Daily Mail also stated that Borussia Dortmund are keen. Given their reputation, that is a good indicator of Drameh’s ability.

However, there are more cubs from across Europe chasing his signature according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The journalist has reaffirmed Newcastle and Dortmund’s interest on Twitter, and he has also thrown Lille and Bayer Leverkusen into the mix.

That makes Newcastle’s task of signing Drameh all the more difficult. However, that should not put the Magpies off nowadays.

In the past, a little bit of competition would all but end Newcastle’s interest. Back then the transfer strategy was ‘put a lowball offer in and hope no one else is keen’.

But things are different now. The club is ambitious, and the owners want it to become a future powerhouse. That means signing players for the present and the future, and Drameh would certainly be for the future.

Newcastle have no need for a right-back right now. We’ve got the best in Trippier. But he will eventually need to be replaced, and if the recruitment team think Drameh has the potential to do just that then they will want to get him in now.

It wouldn’t be a glamorous signing of a blockbuster name, but it would epitomise the forward planning going on at St James’ Park. But to get him we will need to beat some big clubs from across Europe.