Newcastle edge past Marseille for highly-rated Nigerian international

The Magpies are looking good to remain in the Premier League at the end of the campaign and have begun transfer preparations ahead of next season

According to the ButFootballClub, Newcastle United have firmed up their interest in Nigerian winger Moses Simon after the English Premier League side met and held talks with the player’s representatives over a summer switch.

Simon is highly rated in France following his exploits for Nantes in Ligue 1 and the cup competitions over the past couple of years.

But his popularity soared through the roof and across other parts of the continent at the start of the year after emerging as the Super Eagles’ star performer at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Leeds United and Newcastle showed interest in the 26-year-old during the January transfer window, but a move failed to materialise. The two Premier League clubs, however, continued to monitor the Nigerian international, with Marseille leading other French clubs in competing for his signature.

They have had much to be impressed with about Simon, though, with the ex-Levante man influential in Nantes’ excellent win over moneybags PSG in February. The left-winger then shown like a million stars when scoring the penalty kick that sent the Canaries to their first Coupe de France final in 22 years.

Newcastle are convinced that Simon is the man to share the attacking burden with star forward Allan Saint-Maximin, and the Magpies have started negotiations with the Nigerian’s agents.

United have reportedly made their first salary proposal, and they could see personal terms agreed upon in the coming days before reaching a final transfer fee with Nantes.

Simon has three goals and seven assists in the French top-flight. If he moves to England, he will be joining compatriots Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Alex Iwobi (Everton), and William Troost-Ekong (Watford) at arguably the world’s most glamorous league.