An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in signing Enzo Le Fee ahead of the January transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to 90min, the Magpies are one of a number of clubs eyeing up the central midfielder as they consider potential options to bolster their squad at the start of 2023.
The report claims that fellow Premier League side Leicester City are looking at a possible swoop for the gem to replace outbound Youri Tielemans, who is set to leave on a free transfer next summer.
It is stated that Lorient want to tie Le Fee down to a new contract as his current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2024, but West Ham, the Foxes, and Newcastle are all hoping to convince him to make the switch to England instead.
Joe Willock upgrade
Dan Ashworth could land Eddie Howe an upgrade on the former Arsenal central midfielder by securing a deal to sign the French maestro in January.
Willock has enjoyed a solid season in the Premier League so far. He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.82 across 13 appearances in the top-flight but Le Fee has been more than solid as he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.31 in 13 Ligue 1 outings.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig previously named him as one of Lorient's "golden" midfielders and once likened him to Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho, while listing his strengths as; pace, passing, vision, technique, ball control, work rate.
He has been more impressive than the Newcastle man from a defensive perspective. Le Fee has made 4.6 tackles and interceptions, whilst winning 51% of his duels, per game this season, whilst Willock has made 1.5 tackles and interceptions and won 42% of his battles.
On the ball, the 22-year-old French machine has created six 'big chances' for his teammates and provided 2.9 key passes per game for Lorient - chipping in with two goals along the way.
Willock, meanwhile, has averaged 1.0 key passes and created four 'big chances' for Newcastle, whilst failing to score a single goal in 13 appearances.
These statistics suggest that Le Fee, who is one year younger than the Englishman, would be a big upgrade on the 23-year-old for the Magpies. He could offer far more than the ex-Gunner both in terms of the quality he can provide at the top end of the pitch and out of possession, creating opportunities for his teammates and winning the ball back consistently.