Newcastle United just caught a break in their hunt for a right-back. Wilfried Singo, the Galatasaray defender they’ve been linked with for weeks, turned down a move to FC Porto. According to African outlet 225foot, both Singo and his camp decided the Portuguese league is ‘not the ideal next step’ for his career. That’s a direct shot at Porto, who reportedly put together a serious pitch — guaranteed starting minutes, a leading role in their Champions League project, and a playing style they insisted was perfect for the Ivorian.
Porto’s offer was real. They pitched him hard. But Singo wasn’t buying. And that’s the kind of news Newcastle needed after watching Kieran Trippier walk out the door to Wolves earlier this window. Tino Livramento is still here, sure, but Eddie Howe clearly wants more depth on that flank. The club already tried to bring in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, but the kid’s headed to Inter Milan instead. Raul Bellanova is also on the radar, though Newcastle isn’t the only team sniffing around him.
Singo’s Priorities: Premier League or Serie A. Maybe Both.
The 25-year-old has made it clear — he’s open to leaving Istanbul, and his ‘absolute priority’ is a move to either the Premier League or Serie A. Multiple clubs from both leagues have already expressed interest, according to the report. That’s a problem for Newcastle if they drag their feet, because a return to Italy is very much on the table. Singo built his reputation at Torino before moving to Galatasaray, and Italian clubs remember what he can do.
But there’s a complicating factor here. Singo’s currently at the World Cup, where he assisted Amad Diallo’s winner against Ecuador in Ivory Coast’s opening game. That assist alone probably bumped his price tag. Galatasaray isn’t sweating a sale either — he’s got four years left on his contract, and every good performance in Qatar just drives his value higher.
Newcastle’s interest in Singo isn’t new. English clubs were sniffing around him as far back as 2022, though nothing ever materialized. Now they’ve got a real shot, provided they move before someone else does. And yes, he can also play center-back, which matters because Newcastle is still hunting for a central defender. Evan Ndicka and a Brazilian defender named Viery are on the shortlist, but competition is stiff for both.
The Versatility Factor
Singo’s ability to slot in at both right-back and center-back is a genuine selling point for a team that needs help in both spots. That kind of flexibility is rare, and Howe’s system demands full-backs who can push forward and defenders who can cover ground. Singo fits that profile. But none of this means a deal is close. Newcastle hasn’t even made a formal approach yet, as far as anyone knows. The club is still weighing its options, and the market is moving fast.
For now, Singo’s mind is on the World Cup. But behind the scenes, his camp is listening. And Porto’s rejection just gave Newcastle a little more room to work with.
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