CDF.cl has recently stated that Newcastle United have joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race for AS Monaco defender Guillermo Maripán this summer. It is understood that the French side would not let the Chilean centre-half leave for anything less than €20m but ‘everything indicates’ than he will part ways with the club which could open the door for the Magpies to seal a move for him in this off-season (via CDF.cl).
Maripan’s Impressive Debut Season At Monaco
Maripan managed to impress a lot of people with his stellar performances at the heart of the Monaco defence last season. He ended the previous term with two goals and three yellow cards to his name in 25 appearances for the French outfit across multiple competitions.
The 26-year-old has established himself as a rock in central defence for his current employers based on his average of 2.1 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 3.3 clearances per game in the Ligue 1. The ex-Alaves talent is an excellent ball-distributor as evident from his pass completion rate of 88% in the French top tier (stats via whoscored).
The 24-time Chilean international is one of the best defenders in French football. Still, one can argue whether he has got what it takes to maintain his high standards in the Premier League next season if the Magpies can win the chase for his signature this summer.
What Does The Chilean International Offer On The Field?
Standing at 1.93m, Maripan has got the height and remarkable strength to overpower the opposition in the air and can command his penalty area with authority and conviction. He can be quite aggressive with his tackles but can make some crucial interceptions for his team. The Chilean sensation has shown great defensive awareness to sense the danger quickly and pull off a few vital clearances at the back. However, Maripan lacks composure and needs to work even harder on the pitch if he wants to break out into the world-class bracket someday.
Is Maripan The Right Fit For Steve Bruce?
A defender of Maripan’s quality will be a massive coup for the Magpies if they can convince him to join Steve Bruce’s revolution at St. James’ Park before the transfer window slams shut in October. He will give Newcastle a physical edge due to his aerial prowess and could turn out to be a shrewd signing for the Tyneside outfit in the years to come.
At 26, the Vitacura-born talent is playing at his prime right now, so he will be able to give the best years of his playing career to the Magpies if Bruce can lure him to England this summer. He will even offer some healthy competition for the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Florian Lejeune in the coming seasons which makes him a decent fit for Bruce’s squad at Tyneside.
