Newcastle United have missed out on Ruben Semedo and may have Jozo Simunovic in mind.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Newcastle United have missed out on Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ruben Semedo, who is signing for Villarreal, Marca reports.
The Toon were in talks to sign Semedo last week and their miss leaves them heading back to the drawing board.
If reports are to be believed then Newcastle already have alternatives on their radar, including Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic.
The Chronicle report Newcastle still want to sign two centre-backs this summer, and cite Simunovic as a target along with French defender Florian Lejeune.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action
Simunovic, 22, has spent the past two seasons at Celtic and racked up two league titles already.
Last season he was impressive, holding down a regular spot in central defence and shaking off the injuries which hampered his first season in Scotland.
The defender will be keen that any decision he makes over his future helps his chances of a World Cup spot with Croatia next summer.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action with Rangers’ Jason Holt
The safe option would be to stay put at Celtic but testing himself at a higher level week in and week out with Newcastle will be tempting.
Celtic can only hope that Champions League football will be enough to keep him from Newcastle’s clutches.
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