Manchester City are keeping tabs on Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile, according to reports in France.
Newcastle were thought to be lining up an offer for the France Under 21 international but a hamstring injury, which will keep the player out for six weeks, has cooled the Magpies’ interest.
Badiashile has also been a long-term target for City’s rivals, Manchester United, while West Ham have also been credited with an interest in recent days.
The Citizens’ own pursuit of the 20-year-old is reportedly dependent on whether Nathan Ake leaves the Etihad Stadium. The former Chelsea and Bournemouth player has, himself, been linked with West Ham and Newcastle, while AC Milan have also been mentioned as a potential suitor.
Badiashile is left-footed so he would be a like-for-like replacement but, considering the Frenchman’s injury, it seems much more likely that a deal would be done at the end of the season, rather than in January.
