Newcastle are keeping tabs on the Eibar, Manchester City and Werder Bremen defenders.
Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko in action with Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has already started the recruitment process ahead of the 2017/18 Premier League season.
It is expected that Benitez will be backed in the transfer market by Magpies owner Mike Ashley as he looks to improve his squad following promotion from the Championship.
Central defence is an area being focused on and according to the Northern Echo there are three key names on the wishlist – but which would be the best?
Luca Caldirola
Luca Caldirola
The cheapest option on the list, Caldirola is out of contract at Werder Bremen this summer and despite an offer to return to his home country with Bologna, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the 26-year-old wants to continue playing away from Serie A.
The former Italy Under-21 international is versatile, with the ability to operate at left-back as well as centrally, but fitness could be a concern with only five Bundesliga appearances to his name in 2016/17 due to a knee ligament and then foot injury.
Lejeune
Florian Lejeune
Formerly of Manchester City, the 26-year-old left for Eibar in a £1.2m deal last summer and has since won many admirers for his performances in La Liga.
Lejeune is a powerful defender and would be available for his release clause of £8.7m, but Newcastle do face competition from North London duo Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala
Eliaquim Mangala
Probably the most familiar to fans in England as Mangala spent two years in the Man City first team squad before being sent on loan to Valencia last summer.
Another 26-year-old, Los Che were impressed with his displays in Spain last term, but according to the Sun are only willing to pay £14m to sign him permanently, while Benitez will offer £18m – making the France international a pricey option.
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