Newcastle United have ‘been keeping an eye on’ LOSC Lille’s highly-rated midfielder Amadou Onana, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Magpies have brought in Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope so far this summer and are expected to add a few more fresh faces to Eddie Howe’s ranks over the coming weeks.

What is the latest news involving Onana?

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth reported that West Ham recently had a €23 million (£19.6m) offer rejected by Lille for Onana.

It’s claimed that the Ligue 1 outfit are reluctant to sell the 20-year-old, while the Hammers ‘remain interested’ and are deciding whether to return with an improved offer.

Onana only arrived at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy last August from German outfit Hamburger SV and still has four years remaining on his current contract.

Therefore, the one-cap Belgium international is likely to set any potential suitor back a significant sum, and Lille will surely be hoping a bidding war ensues for one of their most promising assets.

What has Jones said about Onana?

Roshane Thomas of The Athletic has claimed that Premier League giants Arsenal are also interested in snapping up Onana, who is valued at £26m by CIES, alongside West Ham.

And Jones has now provided an update on the defensive midfielder’s situation, stating that he is also on Newcastle’s radar and that ‘they might come in for’ this summer.

Darwin Nunez to Liverpool! Done Deal! Hear more on The Football Terrace...

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I know that with Onana, Newcastle have been keeping an eye on him too.

“So, if they were to look for somebody who’s not especially high-profile, but somebody of a specific style and a defensive midfielder, then they might come in for him too.”

Would Onana be a good signing?

At 6 foot 5, Onana is certainly a physical presence in the middle of the park, and enjoyed a relatively productive 2021/22, registering four goal contributions in 41 appearances across all competitions for Lille.

As per FBref, the youngster also ranked in the 94^th percentile for tackles and the 88^th for non-penalty expected goals amongst his positional peers over the last year, highlighting his ability at both ends of the pitch.

Onana averaged 5.36 successful pressures, 2.25 interceptions and 2.19 tackles won per 90 minutes last season, bettering Jonjo Shelvey’s tallies of 3.18, 1.59 and 0.64, respectively.

Therefore, he could prove to be an upgrade on Howe’s current options in midfield, but only time will tell if Newcastle follow up their interest with a concrete offer.