Newcastle United’s pursuit of Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie may be put on hold until the summer after it emerged the 19-year-old is set to be sidelined for several weeks with injury.
The Magpies have been heavily linked with the France Under-21 international as they seek to strengthen the left side of their defence. Methalie has caught the eye in Ligue 1 this season and is understood to be on United’s shortlist, particularly with limited cover behind first-choice left-back Lewis Hall.
Dan Burn and Tino Livramento have both filled in on the left when Hall was injured earlier in the campaign, but with both currently unavailable, there were concerns when Hall picked up an ankle issue against Burnley. The England international has since recovered and is expected to be fit to face Crystal Palace on Sunday, though Newcastle remain aware of their lack of depth in that position.
While significant spending in January is thought to be unlikely, Methalie is among several left-backs linked with a move to Tyneside as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his squad for a demanding second half of the season.
However, Toulouse head coach Carles Martinez Novell has confirmed Methalie will be out for several weeks after receiving injections to address a long-standing knee problem. Speaking ahead of their match against Lens, Martinez said the issue was not serious but the decision was taken to help the defender feel better over the coming months. He added that Methalie should return within around a month, although no exact timeframe has been set.
It remains unclear whether Newcastle will press ahead with their interest this month or wait until the summer. If Livramento and Kieran Trippier can stay fit, Howe will have cover across both full-back roles, with Lewis Miley recently deployed as an emergency right-back.
Youngsters Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar also provide backup options, with Murphy already featuring this season. Meanwhile, Newcastle have also been linked with Manchester City defender Nathan Ake. The Dutch international, who is reportedly keen for more regular minutes, is said to have turned down West Ham, while reports in Spain suggest Barcelona are monitoring his situation.