Sevilla defender Adil Rami is reportedly in negotiations with Crystal Palace, but he would be an excellent signing for Newcastle United.
It is no secret that an experienced centre-back is high on Rafael Benitez’s list of priorities this summer. From Premier League stalwarts such as Ryan Shawcross and Wes Morgan to European imports a la Lisandro Lopez, a huge number of highly-rated defenders have been linked with Newcastle United over the last few weeks.
However, Adil Rami’s name is conspicuous by its absence. The 31-year-old appears to be exactly the kind of player Benitez is looking for: experienced, reliable and, most of all, well within the Magpies’ budget.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
He has not got a bad CV either. Rami, who started four times in France’s run to the European Championship final on home soil last summer, won the Ligue 1 title with Lille and the Europa League with Sevilla while also representing Valencia and Milan in an impressive club career.
Are Newcastle missing a trick? Well, evidently, Benitez found something he does not like about the 33-time France international.
According to Football Espana, then-Valencia president Amadeo Salvo offered Benitez the chance to sign Rami on loan in January 2014. However, the Napoli boss made it clear that he had no interest in raiding his former club for the centre-back, who had been suspended for publically criticising his own, admittedly under-performing, teammates.
Sevilla’s Adil Rami
And it appears that, three years on, Rami has still not earned Benitez’s affection. Because his signing is staring Newcastle in the face but they appear more than happy to look elsewhere.
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