Why Badou Ndiaye Is A Gamble Worth Taking For Newcastle United
Newcastle United are reportedly targeting a move for Galatasaray midfielder Badou Ndiaye. The club are in the middle of a takeover and while there are some suitors, the Magpies are yet to finalise a deal. It is important because the extent to how much they are able to spend in the upcoming window comes down to who takes over. That said, they have been linked with Ndiaye for quite some time and could make a move for him either in January or next summer. But do they really need him?
The £6.3m rated Ndiaye has been extremely impressive in his career so far. He started off in Senegal and then joined Bodo Glimt in the Norwegian second division. There, he gradually got himself accustomed to the team and adapted to European football. Originally a defensive midfielder, Ndiaye then moved ahead into a more attacking role. That truly helped him grow as a player and he made a huge impact on his side, which helped them earn promotion to the top flight.
Shortly after, he moved to Osmanlispor and was a clinical performer for the club. He joined Galatasaray only in August this year. Procuring him will be tough and expensive, but he could prove to be a good choice for the club. He does seem like an upgrade when compared to Isaac Hayden. The Magpies did come close to signing him during the summer and they could have benefited so much from his displays. But unfortunately, they were unable to sign him then.
Rafa Benitez’s men are in dire need of a solid presence in the middle of the park – someone who can surge ahead and make things happen. Ndiaye is physically strong enough to do just that while also providing enough creativity for the attacking players to thrive on. There is no denying that Mikel Merino is doing everything he can for Newcastle in the midfield but the prospect of Ndiaye playing alongside him and someone like Jonjo Shelvey can truly spark a massive turnaround in the way Newcastle have been playing so far.
It is extremely necessary now. They have started off quite well and can easily push for a top 10 finish but with a player like Ndiaye in their ranks, perhaps they could nurse greater and bigger ambitions. Of course, there will be doubts as to whether or not he can fit into the Premier League – which is touted as one of the most physically and mentally challenging leagues. However, Ndiaye has proven twice that he can adapt to any team and any league.