Newcastle United are reportedly pursuing Swansea City defender Federico Fernandez.
According to The Sun, Swansea City have rejected a loan bid from Newcastle United for defender Federico Fernandez – and are demanding a fee of around £10million for his services.
The Magpies have secured the signature of one centre back already having snapped up Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabian Schar in a bargain £3.5million deal last week, activating the Swiss international’s release clause.
However, Newcaslte have been dealt a blow as Florian Lejeune has suffered a major injury, meaning that another centre back may now be on Rafael Benitez’s wish list to compete with Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Schar.
Last week, Newcastle were linked with a move to sign Swansea defender Federico Fernandez, but The Sun now claim that their loan bid has been rejected by the Championship club.
Instead, it’s stated that Swansea are demanding a fee of £10million for Fernandez, and have told Benitez under no uncertain terms that a loan deal is completely off the table.
Benitez needs to use his funds wisely, with strikers Yoshinori Muto and Salomon Rondon particular priorities, and £10million on another defender may not be exactly what he wants to do.
Yet in the final weeks of the window, Newcastle may well become desperate for options, and it remains to be seen whether they can find a compromise with the Swans before the window closes.
Fernandez, 29, has racked up more than 125 appearances for Swansea since a 2014 move from Napoli, and whilst he may well be keen on an immediate return to the Premier League, a deal currently looks difficult.
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