Newcastle's Ligue 1 Wonderkid Target Slips The Net As Deadline Passes But Will Be Revisited in the Summer

Newcastle's Ligue 1 Wonderkid Target Slips The Net As Deadline Passes But Will Be Revisited in the Summer

Newcastle United had made a late push to bring highly rated Stade Reims teenager Patrick Zabi to the Premier League in this transfer window but will now wait until a later date to pursue their target.

Interest has been high in Zabi for some time now, and there were reports the Magpies would look to get a deal completed before 7pm, but that hasn't come to fruition.

A deal will now likely be revisited in the summer, with the club seeing the 19-year-old as a long-term project who can become a top asset in the North East.

Zabi Still a Top Target For Newcastle

A deal would have been struck under the conditions that Zabi returned to Ligue 2 to see out the season, meaning there wasn't too much of a rush to get it over the line this January.

The club will undoubtedly be wary, however, with others across Europe also showing signs of being interested in the highly rated midfielder.

Zabi is currently in his first full season in senior football playing for Reims, where he has massively impressed in the 21 games he has appeared in and has become regarded as a top talent.

Midfield Future in Doubt?

The interest in Zabi comes in the wake of a scary deadline day, which saw rumours of Sandro Tonali leaving the club being bandied about.

The Magpies see Zabi as a player to consolidate the future of that midfield area, likely as a Joelinton replacement given his robust nature, and will be hoping a deal in the summer is concluded without any drama.

There has been a conscious effort to lower the age of the squad in recent years, and the Ivory Coast man is yet another prospect Newcastle will be looking to develop should they secure his services.