An update has emerged on Newcastle United target Seko Fofana, regarding RC Lens' valuation of his services...

What's the talk?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Ligue 1 outfit are looking for a fee in the region of £25m (€30m) for the midfielder.

The Magpies are reportedly keen on a deal for the former Manchester City youth player as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his squad in January.

Forget Willock

Newcastle reportedly paid £25m to bring Joe Willock to the club on a permanent deal in the summer after his initial loan spell at St. James' Park. He has been able to live up to his price tag, as of yet, however, as he has struggled on the pitch this season.

The former Arsenal man has averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.47 in the Premier League, failing to produce a single goal or assist in 14 matches. He is averaging 1.1 dribbles and 0.7 key passes per game, showing that he is not making a huge impact with the ball at his feet for the Magpies.

Fofana, meanwhile, has been in sensational form for Lens in Ligue 1 and is showing that he has quality in possession for his side. He is averaging 2.2 dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game across 18 matches, which means that he has completed 40 dribbles and 22 key passes in Ligue 1.

With that in mind, it's hardly a surprise he's been dubbed a "phenom" by journalist Zach Lowy and "unbelievable" by author Tom Scholes for his displays in 2021/22.

The Ivorian has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.13 to illustrate how consistent he has been throughout the season so far. He is performing to a high level and providing quality on a regular basis in the final third, with five goals to go along with his dribbling and creativity.

Fofana once claimed that he is inspired by ex-Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure, saying: "He inspired me a lot. When we went on tour, we spoke about everything and nothing. I had some times that I will never forget. And on the pitch, he was a role model for me, with his long runs forward, his assists, his goals. He was able to do almost everything, he was complete.”

PIF must now splash the £25m Lens want in January in order to complete a deal for the 6 foot 1 colossus. If he is able to translate his form for Lens over to Newcastle then he could be a sizable upgrade on Willock and offer them the threat in possession from midfield that Howe's team is currently lacking.

AND in other news, Possession lost 110x: Howe must brutally axe "fantastic" NUFC dud with 66% pass rate...