Newcastle United continue to be linked with the Eibar defender and their manager seemingly wants a quick resolution.
According to a report from the Sunderland Echo, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez could force through a deal for Eibar defender Florian Lejeune in the coming days as he bids to kick-start the Magpies’ summer spending.
The newly promoted side have been linked with the centre-back for weeks now, yet despite having a release clause of £8.7million it has been worryingly quiet to date.
The report claims Benitez is keen to considerably strengthen his squad before they return for pre-season training on 3 July, leaving him with just 18 days to get some new players through the door.
Newcastle won the Championship title in dramatic fashion last season. However they will need to considerably strengthen their squad if they want to be challenging in the top half of the Premier League from the outset.
Lejeune represents good value for money given his ability, experience and price-tag in an otherwise inflated market, but it seems strange that Newcastle have not yet moved for the 26-year-old.
Lejeune featured 37 times for Eibar last season and he has previously turned out for the likes of Girona, Brest and Villarreal.
With some of Newcastle’s Premier League rivals moving quickly in this transfer window, Benitez will not want to be left behind and it is up to the Spaniard to force through the moves he believes are best for the club.
No one is doubting him, but he will not want to be left behind, so watch this space…
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