Newcastle accelerate Oumar Solet interest, ‘bargain’ deal could be done for £20m
Newcastle United are stepping up their interest in Udinese centre-back Oumar Solet ahead of this summer’s transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The Magpies have conducted several scouting missions on the 26-year-old in recent months, and feel that a move for him could prove to be a “bargain” ahead of next season.
The Tynesiders are trying to lure the Frenchman away from Udinese for a fee of around £20million, but sources say that it is Inter Milan who are currently leading the race to secure his signature.
Udinese are willing to sanction a sale for Solet after signing him on a free transfer in January 2025, as they know that any money that they receive will go down as pure profit.
Newcastle are keen to strengthen their hand across the board ahead of next term, but they still have work to do if they are to beat Inter to the deal.
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Solet has been a shining light for Udinese this season, as he has played a major role in helping the team towards what could become their first top-half finish in Serie A since the 2012-13 campaign.
His move to the Italian outfit has helped to rebuild his career after he had his contract terminated by Red Bull Salzburg in the early stages of the 2024-25 season.
| Stats | Soulet Totals |
| Apps (Starts) | 33 (32) |
| G/A | 4 |
| Defensive Contributions per 90 | 8.09 |
| Tackles per 90 | 2.27 |
| Duels Won per 90 | 5.89 |
| Dribbled Past per 90 | 0.68 |
A product of French side Laval’s youth academy, the defender made the step up to join Lyon in 2018, but made just two competitive appearances for the first-team during his two years in their ranks.
From there, he moved to Salzburg and enjoyed four positive campaigns with the Austrian outfit, before he failed to make a single appearance across the opening two months of last season.
He has caught the eye as part of a Udinese side that have defied expectations this term, and that has won him admirers in the form of both Inter and Newcastle.
The latter are prepared to offer him the chance to take a major step and play in the Premier League for the first time in his career.
However, without the pull of European football on their side this summer, Eddie Howe and Co. will have to find other ways of sweetening any potential deal.
PIF ready to ‘pump more money’ into Magpies project
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider earlier this week that PIF can only “pump more money” into Newcastle once their stadium redevelopment plans have been completed.
The football finance expert indicated that the Saudi owners are in no position to “drastically change” how they spend their money, unless they can complete their project to boost the capacity of St James’ Park.
Borson suggested that the stadium project could be the “driver for everything” if Newcastle are to reach the next level as a club, as it would loosen up their ability to spend.
PIF would have greater leeway in terms of the financial fair play regulations with more matchday revenue coming into their coffers, and that is in turn likely to have an effect on their transfer spending.
Newcastle fans have that to look forward to in the coming years, but for now, Borson is clear that all the owners can do is continue to operate as they are doing.
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