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Guillem Balague sheds light on Newcastle’s reported interest in Iker Casillas

Rafael Benitez, the Newcastle United manager looks on during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United at John Smith'...
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Newcastle United were linked with a stunning move for Spain goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James Park on October 1, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Guillem Balague has suggested on Twitter that while Rafa Benitez is a fan of goalkeeping great Iker Casillas, he has no plans to try and bring the Spaniard to Newcastle in January and instead has other targets on his radar.

As Balague notes, the Magpies have recently been linked with making a move for the Porto stopper as Benitez is unconvinced by the lack of options currently at his disposal.

Iker Casillas of Real Madrid CF shows his dejection during the UEFA Champions League semi final match between Juventus and Real Madrid CF at Juventus Arena on May 5, 2015 in Turin, Italy.

The 36-year-old has fallen out of favour with the Portuguese giants, so it would certainly not be a surprise if he was looking to move away from the club at the next opportunity as he approaches the twilight years of his career.

But it appears that he is unlikely to be arriving at St James’ Park, with Spanish journalist Balague explaining on Twitter that Benitez has other targets and will thus, not be looking to be reunited with Casillas, who he worked alongside at Real Madrid.

Casillas is undoubtedly one of the finest goalkeepers over the last two decades, winning virtually everything at club and international level, and his form this season does not appear to be that bad, with seven clean sheets coming in the 10 appearances he has made.

Newcastle United's Spanish manager Rafael Benitez shouts instructions to his players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Newcastle...

But he is arguably no longer the player that was the first name on Los Blancos’ teamsheet for so long, and would certainly not be a long-term answer to Newcastle’s goalkeeping problem if he did arrive.

So it would be no surprise if the part of Balague’s tweet that Newcastle fans were taking the most interest in was the suggestion that Benitez has other targets, and they will be hoping that it leads to an eventful January window for the Magpies.

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