Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez had very specific demands for new defenders at St James’ Park so why is Eibar’s Florian Lejeune their first addition?
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is making waves in the transfer market
Newcastle United may have lifted the Championship title a matter of weeks ago but that does not mean manager Rafael Benitez will be putting his feet up this summer.
Instead, the Spaniard appears to be racking up a hefty phone bill attempting to convince potential targets that St James’ Park is the place to be. And, according to The Chronicle, Newcastle are closing in on the opening deal of an expected summer splurge.
The report claims that Eibar’s classy centre-back Florian Lejeune is on his way to Tyneside after Newcastle triggered his £8.7 million release clause.
Florian Lejeune was one of La Liga’s best defenders in 2016/17
The 6ft 3ins 26-year-old enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Basque side after a forgettable year contracted to Manchester City, helping La Liga’s smallest ever club finish in the top half.
Furthermore, The Chronicle adds that this all but confirms the exit of exiled centre-back Grant Hanley. And with Jamaal Lascelles enduring a nervy 2017, and Ciaran Clark relegated with Aston VIlla just a year ago, you can see why Benitez would view defensive reinforcements as a priority ahead of Newcastle’s top flight return.
The only surprise, however, is that Newcastle are closing in on a centre-back without an ounce of English top flight experience; Lejeune spent his only season as a City player on loan back at Girona.
The Independent claimed in April that Benitez was desperate for a proven Premier League defender with Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross, a virtual ever-present across nine years in the top flight, his top target.
Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross
Newcastle have also been linked with 2016 champion and Leicester City captain Wes Morgan, not to mention Arsenal’s Callum Chambers and Middlesbrough talisman Ben Gibson.
Therefore, the deal for Lejeune either means Benitez has changed tack or there is another defender on his way with summer.
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