The Magpies will be hoping to start the season with some silverware under their belt in the shape of the Sela Cup.
Newcastle United could be set for a perfect scouting opportunity this weekend at the Sela Cup. Bruno Guimaraes has already made it clear the Magpies want to win the pre-season silverware, even if it counts for nothing when the Premier League campaign gets up an running.
Villareal, Fiorentina and Nice are all set to jet into Tyneside for the competition this weekend with a number of big name players set to be on show. Both the Spanish and the Italian side have fared well in European competitions in recent seasons and will be an early indicator into how well Newcastle are placed ahead of their Champions League return, or how much work still needs to be done.
As for Nice, they’ve not quite enjoyed the European success as much as their Sela Cup competitors, but they do boast an illustrious breeding ground for talent. Midfielder Khephren Thuram is the latest big name to impress on Les Aiglons’ stage.
Both Newcastle and Liverpool were linked with a move for the 22-year-old midfielder, who looks set to be the next breakthrough star in France’s national side. Despite his age, the son of French legend Lilian Thuram and younger brother of former Toon target Marcus Thuram, boasts 159 senior appearances at club level with nine goals to his name.
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The Magpies were said to be looking at the French youth international prior to signing Sandro Tonali, with Jurgen Klopp also said to be an admirer. Nice set a reported asking price of €50million for the young star, with neither side submitting a bid.
Eddie Howe and co have repeatedly stressed the need to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations this summer, as they look to continue their impressive ascent. The talk of two ‘elite level’ signings at St. James’ Park has been fulfilled through Tonali and Harvey Barnes, which is likely to quash a move for Thuram this summer.
However, the French midfielder is expected to be at St. James’ Park for the Sela Cup this weekend and will no doubt be watched by Newcastle with great interest. A good performance against Villareal or Fiorentina could tempt the Magpies into splashing the cash, having missed out on the likes of Moussa Diaby, James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai.
After all, it was only last summer the Toon played down talk of investing heavily in the market, then splashed €60million or so on Alexander Isak.
