Mundo Deportivo reported on their deadline-day blog (Monday, 10.47AM) that Newcastle are ready to pay £33million to sign Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi. But a move to get the Brazilian is increasingly unlikely.
Lodi, 23, has been a regular for Diego Simeone since the 15-time Brazil star moved to Atletico Madrid from Atletico Paranenese. He played alongside Bruno Guimaraes at the Brazilian club, before his move in 2019.
He then joined another new signings after swapping Paranense for Atleti, teaming up with Trippier. MD claim that Newcastle were willing to pay a huge £33million for Lodi – as Newcastle look to sign a left-footed defender.
However, it appears that Newcastle are going to sign Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett on a loan-to-buy basis. But it is intriguing that the Toon were ready to return to Atleti for one of the first names on the team sheet.
Newcastle eye Lodi: Could Toon return in summer for Atletico star?
With Targett now being pictured at Newcastle’s training ground and set to undergo a medical with the Toon side – it looks as if he could be Newcastle’s left-back for years to come. But it is only an initial loan, until the summer.
If Targett struggles, Newcastle might opt against buying him permanently and then, that re-opens the need for a left-back. At that point, interest in Lodi could resurface. But it all depends on how Targett does at Newcastle.
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