A key update has emerged regarding Newcastle United's transfer plans for Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile...

What's the talk?

talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has revealed that the Magpies want to bring the French centre-back to the club as their next signing.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think the other player they’d like to sign now is Benoit Badiashile from Monaco although he’s currently injured.”

This comes after Sky Sports reported that the player is interested in making the move to St James' Park before the end of the month.

Excitement for Eddie Howe

This claim will surely leave Howe excited, as it suggests that he could have a new centre-back to work with in the coming weeks. The club have seemingly identified that position as an area in which they would like to strengthen, and the head coach will be buzzing with the prospect of an added option to his defence.

Newcastle are not blessed with an abundance of defensive quality in their ranks, which has been highlighted by their form this season. Only Norwich, who have played a game more, have conceded more goals than the Magpies in the top flight, which shows how poorly their defence has performed this term.

They have let in 2.1 goals per game and kept just one clean sheet in the process, which has played a part in their failure to pick up more than one league win five months into the season. The draw with Watford at the weekend was the perfect example, with a lapse piece of defending allowing Joao Pedro to score with a header after beating Jamaal Lascelles in the air, depriving the Magpies of a priceless victory.

This is why Howe will be excited by the thought of a new defender coming in, particularly such a talented young prospect in Badiashile. Last season, he averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.91 in Ligue 1 as he played 35 matches despite only turning 20 throughout the campaign.

The youngster averaged 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game and won 63% of his duels, showcasing his capability to perform at the top level despite his tender age. The ex-Cherries coach will surely be buzzing at the possibility of working with such a fine prospect in the second half of the campaign, and that is why the club's intention to swoop in for the Frenchman is an exciting one for the manager.

AND in other news, Howe "really likes him": Keith Downie drops Newcastle transfer update, fans surely buzzing...