Newcastle United should consider Faouzi Ghoulam after Rafael Benitez’s comments about signing a left-back.
Rafael Benitez told BBC Newcastle last week that he is open to the idea of signing a left-back in January as competition for the injured Paul Dummett.
Dummett has been sidelined since the first weekend of the Premier League season but he could be back next month.
Nevertheless, the Newcastle United boss did not rule out the prospect of bringing somebody else in during the winter – and Faouzi Ghoulam is perfect.
Napoli could and should be bracing themselves for bids based on the fact that the 26-year-old – who has two goals and three assists in seven Serie A games this season – is out of contract in the summer and is refusing to sign a new one.
Consequently, the Italian outfit might be forced to sell in January to avoid losing him for free six months later and Newcastle wouldn’t have to break the bank to get him.
Better yet, the North-East side might have something of an advantage after Benitez signed him for Napoli in 2014. He raved about the Spanish manager in 2015, telling Tutto Napoli that he ‘owes his maturity’ to the former Liverpool boss.
He might well consider a reunion if Benitez indicates that he wants him at Newcastle.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
