OPINION
Newcastle United must reignite their hunt to sign Nantes winger Anthony Limombe in the summer transfer window after it was reported that the Magpies tried hard to sign the Belgium international in January.
Limombe, 24, joined Nantes last summer from Club Brugge, but has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the starting line-up despite a series of impressive performances during his two seasons in Belgium.
He has only started eight Ligue 1 matches this term, but last season the winger scored six goals and supplied seven assists in 39 total appearances for Brugge as they won the Belgian top-flight title.
In January, it was reported that Newcastle were in “advanced” talks to sign Limbombe.
RMC Sport journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on his personal Twitter account that the Magpies were in discussions to sign the one-time Belgium international on an initial loan deal that would include the “option” to be made permanent in the summer.
Infos #mercato :
À un jour avant la fin de marché, il y aurait des discussions avancées entre l’entourage du milieu offensif belge Anthony Limbombe, le #FCNantes et #NewcastleUnited en vue d’un prêt avec option d’achat à St’ James Park. #NUFC #Newcastle #FCN #FCN #DiablesRouges pic.twitter.com/XfXOg1FJ5M
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) January 30, 2019
Limombe is clearly someone who has been struggling at Nantes and there is a good chance that he might want to leave the Ligue 1 club in order to stop his career from stalling at a time when he should be playing regularly.
It is not yet clear who will be in charge of Newcastle next season with Rafa Benitez’s contract expiring in the summer, however the Toon boss clearly saw something in Limbombe to think of him as a viable transfer option in January.
Whoever is in charge next term needs to have another stab at signing Limombe.
The jet-heeled winger is extremely skilful and when surrounded by the right players, he could be a force to be reckoned with for certain Premier League defences.
It could be a masterclass of a signing by Newcastle.
