Newcastle United Eye Youssouf Fofana as Midfield Option

Newcastle United’s midfield rebuild has taken another twist, and this time the trail runs through Milan.

With a little over two weeks left in the transfer window and Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali already gone, Matthias Jaissle is still hunting for both experience and depth in the middle of the pitch. Newcastle have sounded out Bayern Munich over Joao Palhinha. They have kept Lucas Bergvall on their radar. Now a new name has moved into view.

Newcastle join race for Fofana

Italian journalist Matteo Moretto reported on Saturday that Newcastle have asked AC Milan about Youssouf Fofana, after the Serie A club made it clear to the France international that he no longer figures in their plans.

“Fofana is on his way out, and he was informed of this in person,” Moretto said, via MilanNews. “I can assure you that there aren't any advanced negotiations with any specific club at this time.”

Newcastle are not alone. Moretto listed them as one of three clubs to have already made contact over the 27-year-old’s situation.

“I can tell you that Nottingham have inquired, Newcastle have inquired, and Juventus have inquired,” he added.

So far, it is interest rather than a full-scale push from Tyneside. No offer, no formal negotiations, no agreement in sight. The groundwork, nothing more.

Juventus push harder as Milan wait

If anyone is edging ahead, it is Juventus. They are exploring a deal more aggressively than the other suitors mentioned.

“Fofana is certainly an option for Juventus, and the two clubs, Juve and Milan, have spoken and discussed possible situations and market developments,” Moretto reported.

Milan only brought Fofana in from Monaco in 2024 for around €20 million (£17.3 million), handing him a contract through 2028. Yet they are already prepared to move him on. Reports differ slightly on the fee they want, but most place it in the €15–20 million range (£13–17 million).

That price bracket would make Fofana significantly cheaper than some of Newcastle’s other midfield targets and, on paper, a more attainable signing as Jaissle tries to reshape his engine room without blowing the budget.

For now, though, the story is still stuck in the early chapters. Milan are open to selling. Juventus are talking. Nottingham Forest and Newcastle have asked the question. But as Moretto underlined, “There aren't any advanced negotiations with any specific club at this time.”

The clock is ticking. Newcastle need a midfielder. Fofana is available. The only thing missing is a club willing to turn an enquiry into a decisive move.