Newcastle United are considering a January move to bring Mouctar Diakhaby to St James' Park.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Spanish media outlet Deporte Valenciano (via Chronicle Live), who claimed that Newcastle are weighing up an offer for the Valencia defender in the winter transfer market, with the La Liga side now believed to be willing to cash in on the 24-year-old.

However, the report added that Leicester City are also interested in a move for the former France under-21 international, so Mike Ashley could face something of a bidding war should he indeed submit an offer for the defender in January.

Ashley must move

Considering the current age profiles of Steve Bruce's options in the centre of defence, as well as the distinctly average level of performance of a number of the Magpies centre-backs so far this season, it would indeed seem highly advisable for Ashley to do all he can to land Diakhaby this winter.

Indeed, with Federico Fernandez being 32 years of age, Ciaran Clark 31, Fabian Schar 29 and Jamaal Lascelles 27, it would certainly seem as if an injection of youth into the heart of the Newcastle defence would be a wise move for the club, as by the end of the season, Bruce will have just one player under the age of 30 in the position.

Furthermore, with Clark having averaged a rather disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.15 over his two Premier League appearances so far this term, and Lascelles a match rating of 6.70 over his three top-flight fixtures, it is evident that not only does the average age of the club's defenders need to be brought down, the level of ability also needs to be raised.

As such, the signing of a player who has made more than 100 appearances in Ligue 1 and LaLiga, as well as 30 appearances in the Europa League and Champions League, and who has previously been courted by Pep Guardiola, would almost certainly help raise the defensive standards at St James' Park.

Therefore, Ashley must simply do all he can to land the £9m-rated Diakhaby ahead of Leicester City this January, as the 6 foot 4 centre-back would undoubtedly be a big coup for the Magpies.

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