Newcastle United’s quest to reinforce their defensive options may have hit a detour, as Aston Villa emerge as frontrunners in the pursuit of Sevilla’s talented centre-back Loïc Badé.
Newcastle have been actively scouting for a right-sided centre-back to complement Fabian Schär since the summer transfer window. Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was once touted as a potential target, with speculative reports suggesting fees as high as £75 million. However, those links proved premature, leaving Newcastle to explore alternative options.
Badé: A Rising Star on Newcastle’s Radar
Among the candidates to bolster Newcastle’s defense is 24-year-old French defender Loïc Badé. After an underwhelming loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Badé has rejuvenated his career at Sevilla, becoming a cornerstone of their backline and earning renewed Premier League interest.
Despite Newcastle’s reported interest in Badé, it is Aston Villa who have taken decisive steps to secure his signature. Villa view Badé as the ideal replacement for Diego Carlos, the Brazilian defender whose £26 million move from Sevilla to Villa Park in 2022 has not lived up to expectations.
Villa’s Opening Bid Falls Short
Aston Villa recently tabled an offer of €15 million (£12.6 million) plus €5 million (£4.2 million) in add-ons for Badé, according to Vamos Mi Sevilla. However, Sevilla rejected the bid, reportedly holding out for €22 million (£18.5 million) plus €5 million in add-ons. Additionally, Sevilla have expressed interest in bringing Diego Carlos back on loan as part of the deal.
Will Newcastle Enter the Fray?
It remains unclear whether Newcastle will step up their pursuit of Badé or shift their focus to alternative targets. Given their focus on making strategic, high-impact additions, the Magpies may opt to wait until the summer to strengthen their squad.
Newcastle fans will recall missing out on Diego Carlos in 2022, a twist that worked in their favor with the acquisition of Sven Botman. While Villa’s efforts to bring Badé to the Midlands suggest urgency on their part, Newcastle may prefer to let this particular opportunity pass.
A Quiet January for Newcastle?
As January progresses, there is growing uncertainty about Newcastle’s activity in the winter transfer market. While several players have been linked to the club, meaningful first-team additions appear increasingly unlikely. Patience may be the approach Newcastle employ, saving their resources for impactful summer acquisitions.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s pursuit of Badé is a testament to their ambition under Unai Emery as they push to strengthen their squad for both domestic and European campaigns. Whether Badé ultimately dons the claret and blue or remains a target of Premier League interest, his rise at Sevilla continues to draw widespread admiration.