Newcastle United are reportedly keen on Koray Gunter.
Reports from Calciomercato in Italy last week suggested that Newcastle United are keen on Hellas Verona ace Koray Gunter ahead of the 2020 transfer windows.
The Magpies were obliterated at Leicester City last weekend, losing 5-0 to Leicester City in a humiliating defeat as more questions were raised about Steve Bruce’s position.
Defensively, Newcastle were woefully exposed, and it came just after reports emerged about the interest in German centre back Gunter, suggesting Bruce already has defensive additions in mind.
The 25-year-old – formerly of Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray – is currently on loan at Hellas Verona form Genoa, a deal which has a €5million (£4.4million) purchase option in the deal.
Gunter has been impressing in the early stages of his time with Verona, sparking interest from Newcastle, who allegedly want to pay around €10million (£8.8million) to sign him.
If Newcastle do go ahead with a move for Gunter, it would be safe to assume a defender would be leaving – and it may well raise questions about the future of Federico Fernandez.
The Argentinian was signed by Rafael Benitez from Napoli in 2018, and made 19 Premier League appearances whilst showing that he was a reliable centre back under the Spaniard.
Yet under Bruce, Fernandez hasn’t started a single Premier League game, playing just 23 minutes across three substitute appearances, despite arguably being one of Newcastle’s best centre backs.
Fernandez’s £43,000-a-week contract expires at the end of the season (Spotrac), and with Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune all tied down for longer, Fernandez may be most at risk.
After that 5-0 thrashing, Fernandez may yet get a chance in the first team. Yet if he remains on the sidelines and Newcastle pursue another centre back, he may well be set for a departure when his deal ends.
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