Newcastle United have been linked with the 26-year-old.
Eibar’s Sporting Director Fran Garagarza has confirmed to Marca that Newcastle United are taking “very strong steps” in their pursuit of Florian Lejeune.
The 26-year-old has been linked with the Magpies in recent weeks and The Northern Echo reported on Friday morning that the defender has an £8.7m release clause.
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have also been linked but, according to The Echo, both North London clubs refused to meet the buyout clause.
That has paved the way for Newcastle to make their move and it appears as if they have done, with Garagarza claiming that it is “difficult” to see him staying at Eibar amid interest from the North-East outfit.
“I’m not very optimistic, I see it difficult for Lejeune to stay. We are worried that Newcastle are taking very strong steps,” he told Marca.
Lejeune’s move is not done but it would certainly seem like the newly-promoted Premier League side are in the driving seat for his signature.
This is the perfect tonic for Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez after another target, Ruben Semedo, opted to join Villarreal instead of the St James’s Park club this week.
The French centre-back helped Eibar to a 10th-placed finish in La Liga last term, establishing himself a key player at the club.
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