Eibar centre-back Florian Lejeune is reportedly on Newcastle United’s radar – and his team-mate Sergi Enrich should be too.
Florian Lejeune was one of La Liga’s best bargains in 2016/17
Few will be aware that Florian Lejeune has already had a taste of English football. Well, sort of.
The French centre-back joined Manchester City in an eyebrow-raising move from Spanish second division outfit Girona in 2015. Twelve months on, however, after failing to make even the briefest appearance in sky blue, Lejeune returned to Spain with Eibar for £1.2 million, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Yet, it appears that the 26-year-old may have earned a second chance on British shores. The Northern Echo claim that Lejuene is the latest centre-back on Newcastle United’s radar following links with a whole host of defenders from Wes Morgan and Ryan Shawcross to Jozo Simunovic and Callum Chambers.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez wants a new centre-back
Starting 33 games as the club from a town of 27,000 people finished in the top half of La Liga, Lejuene has been worth every penny for Eibar. And though the Northern Echo report that he’d cost far more these days, up to £8.7 million, his strength in the air and composure in possession means he possesses that mix of solidity and sophistication that Rafa Benitez desires.
Sergi would Enrich Newcastle
However, if Newcastle are stopping off to do a spot of shopping at the Basque club, perhaps they should have a look at Lejeune’s eleven-goal team-mate too. Sergi Enrich has long been linked with a move to England, Sky Sports claiming Fulham made a £3.5 million bid last summer.
Sergi Enrich has 20 La Liga goals in two seasons
West Ham are expected to make a move in the coming weeks too, per the Sunday People.
Enrich, who also produced seven assists in 2016/17, is ready made for English football. Strong in the air, blessed with excellent hold-up play and poacher’s instincts, he is everything Newcastle wanted Aleksandar Mitrovic to be.
And though plenty of strikers have failed to settle after swapping Spain for England, Enrich’s former Eibar partner Borja Baston the latest, the strapping targetman appears ready-made to succeed at Newcastle thanks to the excellent service of Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey and co.
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