Could Arsenal beat Newcastle United to the French defender?
According to Wednesday’s print edition of Spanish newspaper Marca – with the news later published online by the Daily Star – Arsenal have joined the race to sign Eibar defender Florian Lejeune, and that could be bad news for alleged suitors Newcastle United.
A recent report from Marca claimed the Magpies had offered to double the defender’s wages after agreeing to pay his £8.75million release clause. However the Gunners are now said to have asked after the player, potentially raising doubts over his move to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle need quality defensive reinforcements this summer as they bid to make a mark in their first season back among the big boys, and for a bargain price a move for Lejeune seems a no-brainer.
Unfortunately for Rafa Benitez, Arsenal appear to feel the same and they could see the defender as a replacement for the likes of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista – both of whom have disappointed at times this season.
Arsenal do not have the usual advantage of offering their summer targets Champions League football next season, after the Gunners finished fifth this time round, but Newcastle could still be wary if the player has his head turned by a potential move to London.
Lejeune is a 26-year-old centre-back who can also operate as a holding midfielder if required.
Last season he turned out 37 times for Eibar, impressing more often than not.
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