Rome, Italy 28th December 2024: Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta during the Italian Serie A 2024-25 football match between SS Lazio vs Atalanta at the Olimpico Stadium

Newcastle United are in the picture to sign Atalanta’s Odilon Kossounou in the summer, according to Africa Foot.

The Magpies would be looking to improve their defence next season and have the centre-back on their radar.

The Ivory Coast international joined the Serie A side from Bayer Leverkusen, initially on loan in August 2024 and then permanently a year later.

He has established himself in Italy, playing 24 matches in all competitions this season. The defender missed Atalanta’s fixtures between December and January due to AFCON.

Newcastle United keen on Kossounou

His performances for both La Dea and the national team would have grabbed the Premier League’s attention.

The report only names Newcastle United, who are ‘particularly interested’ in the 25-year-old to strengthen their defence.

Kossounou moved to Europe when Hammarby IF signed him from ASEC Mimosas in 2019. Later that year, the Swedish side sold him to Club Brugge, who then allowed him to join Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.

He has already experienced the Bundesliga and the Serie A and played in...