Newcastle United are set to return to Sevilla with another improved bid for Diego Carlos, as boss Eddie Howe’s mid-season transfer plans grow increasingly complicated day-by-day.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who note the Toon are stalling on further strengthening Howe’s team. The Magpies have already spent £25m to sign Chris Wood from Burnley and £12m on Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier. But the Tyneside outfit are not finished.
The St James’ Park hierarchy remain in the market for another centre-forward and want to add a centre-half. But Newcastle refused to pay LOSC Lille’s €55m (£46m) valuation of Sven Botman. They also face a fee in the region of €40m (£33m) for Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile.
Sevilla enforcer Carlos now appears the centre-half atop Newcastle’s transfer shortlist after walking away from discussions with Lille for Botman. The Toon are ready to offer his La Liga side around €35m (£29m) as they prepare another attack on Andalusia.
Los Nervionenses have already rebuffed multiple bids from the Magpies for their 28-year-old star. Marca report Newcastle offered Sevilla €25m (£21m), but they demand closer to €45m-50m (£37.5m-£42m). So, the Toon’s next offer may also fall short of striking a deal.
Carlos, for his part, wants to move to Tyneside this month and 90min report the Magpies are confident he will. They also report the Toon have a £100k-a-week contract ready for the Brazilian to sign. The deal would treble the centre-back’s current salary with Sevilla.
Newcastle can land long-hailed defender with Carlos transfer from Sevilla
Sevilla will not back down easily in their fight to keep Carlos amid Newcastle’s persistent transfer interest. The Brazilian is a key part of manager Julen Lopetegui’s side, which has the best defensive record in La Liga as they sit second to Real Madrid in the standings.
Los Nervionenses have allowed just 13 goals over 20 games so far this term. Carlos has also started 19 of their fixtures – missing a win over Celta Vigo in October through suspension.
His former Estoril boss, Fabiano Soares, has long heralded what Carlos offers, as well. The Brazilian told ESPN in 2020, following the defender’s arrival at Sevilla the previous year:
“There are some defenders at Real Madrid who are worse than him. At Barcelona, he has a lot more space because it’s a team that needs fast players. And he’s very fast.
“That’s why [Jurgen] Klopp should be keeping an eye on him [for Liverpool]. He is a dynamic, intense, fast player. Football nowadays for the slow player, the market is not so good. Fast, strong and competitive players with quality coaches will always look to him.”
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