According to reports on Turkish-Football.com, Newcastle United are ready to battle a number of their Premier League rivals to sign £10m-rated Anderlecht centre-back Kara Mbodji.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Turkish-Football.com says that while the Senegal international rejected a move to England during the summer, it is a situation that could change during the January transfer window such is the interest in him.
Along with the Magpies, Turkish-Football.com says that Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town, Brighton and Hove Albion and Swansea City are all keen on the tall 28-year-old, who scored the winning goal for his country in their 2-1 victory against South Africa on Tuesday.
The report adds that while Anderlecht are keen to keep the centre-back, they will sell him for the right price with his agent Ediz Balkan revealing the interest from the Premier League.
What did he say?
According to an exclusive interview with Turkish-Football.com, Balkan said: “Kara has attracted a lot of interest from Premier League sides, we held talks with representatives from those clubs in London last Sunday.
“There are six-seven clubs from the Premier League in talks but I can’t reveal the offers right now.”
Why would Newcastle want him?
The 6ft 3in centre-back is tall, strong and has been a regular for Anderlecht since his move from Genk prior to the 2015/16 campaign.
While the Belgian outfit have lost all four of their Champions League group games this term – in which Mbodji has appeared in three – the Senegalese centre-back has shown his strengths in those outings.
According to Squawka, the 28-year-old has won three of the five aerial duels he has faced, while he has made five blocks, four interceptions and 11 clearances.
It is perhaps his 95% passing accuracy that is most impressive though, which shows that he is good on the ball as well as being a decent defender.
Mbodji has also shown that he can be a threat at the other end of the pitch too with seven goals and a further seven assists in 91 matches in total for Anderlecht.
Do they really need him?
Considering their defence has been strong this season, you would probably argue not.
With Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune, Ciaran Clark and Chancel Mbemba all currently fighting for two spots you would think not, but if Rafa Benitez believes that Mbodji would improve their current options and move the club forward then he must be backed.