Newcastle United are continuing their pursuit of a mid-season transfer for defender Diego Carlos, but Tim Vickery warns the Brazilian may appear better at Sevilla than he actually is.
The Magpies are keen on a deal to sign the centre-half this month to improve Eddie Howe’s leaky backline. But South American football expert Vickery has claimed on talkSPORT that while Carlos can look classy in Julen Lopetegui’s side, he also has lots of mistakes in him.
Howe is adamant Newcastle must strengthen his defence in January, having failed to see improvements from those at the club. United have registered the second-worst defence in the Premier League so far this season, with only Norwich (45) conceding more goals (43).
Reports by The Northern Echo note Newcastle will hold fresh talks with Sevilla on a transfer for Carlos this week. Los Nervionenses have already rejected multiple bids from the Toon, but the 28-year-old is keen to join. He would also land a massive pay rise at St James’ Park.
Carlos’ agent has informed the Sevilla hierarchy he wants to complete a January transfer to Newcastle. But Marca add the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium hierarchy are demanding €45m-50m (£37.5m-42m) after rebuffing the Magpies’ improved €25m (£21m) offer.
Vickery wants Newcastle over transfer target Diego Carlos of Sevilla
So, Newcastle may face a club-record transfer fee to sign Sevilla’s Carlos in January. Their existing record remains the £40m paid to Hoffenheim for Joelinton’s capture in July 2019.
Yet Vickery warns Newcastle to not get carried away expecting big things if Sevilla agree to sell Carlos. As while he is a part of La Liga’s best backline, he is not the best centre-back.
Vickery said: “It was a couple of years ago that a Brazilian journalist based in Spain brought my attention to Diego Carlos and said: ‘I think this is the best Brazilian centre-back in Spain, have a look at him’.
“My conclusion and he won the Olympic gold medal as well, is that we may be dealing with a centre-back who may look better than he is.
“Russell Osman syndrome, maybe? Remember him and Terry Butcher together? Everyone thought Russell Osman was the class act and then you threw him in the deep end and you found out that Osman looked better, but Butcher was much better.
“I worry about Diego Carlos. There are moments when he looks classy, but there are lots of mistakes and wild man things.”
Sevilla are pushing Real Madrid in the La Liga title race this season with the division’s best defensive record. No side has allowed fewer goals than the 13 in 20 games that Lopetegui’s side have shipped so far.
Newcastle transfer target Carlos has featured in 19 of Sevilla’s fixtures, missing a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo through suspension. He earned two yellow cards in a 1-0 loss at Granada in October.
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