OPINION
Newcastle United must act on their reported scouting mission regarding Olympiacos midfielder Mady Camara.
Sport in a Storm reported on Wednesday that Magpies scouts were in attendance of AEK Athens and Olympiacos’ clash on Sunday with the 21-year-old defensive midfielder their likely target.
The football news outlet go on to state that Camara is close to agreeing a new deal with the Greek giants but do offer hope he could be still sold as they allude to Olympiacos potentially including a release clause in the player’s new contract.
However it is stated that the Greek giants are doing that to ensure they get full value for their asset.
If that ends up being the case then the Magpies will probably struggle to negotiate a decent price as Olympiacos probably value Camara way higher than the Premier League club do.
Also Rafa Benitez tends to only be handed a modest budget, based on the past two transfer windows, and that means he might not be able to raise the funds to welcome the midfielder in January if he pens a new deal.
The 21-year-old midfield enforcer would be a fantastic recruit for the Magpies as he would bring a much needed energetic presence to their midfield, while also toughening it up.
Camara has featured 11 times this season for his club and has generally been impressing in the process, the midfielder has also uncharacteristically contributed a goal and an assist to his team’s cause.
If the Magpies were to launch a pursuit as soon as possible to make it clear they are willing to make their interest in the 21-year-old concrete then that might throw a spanner in Olympiacos’ plans to tie him to a new deal to get every penny they can from his sale.
This might make it easier for them to sign the promising midfield enforcer who could aid their cause to survive in the Premier League upon arriving, but for that scenario to develop they need to move asap with the player’s new contract believed to be close.
