Newcastle United now face competition for the signing of Southampton centre-back Jan Bednarek, with Napoli interested in the Polish international.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the third-place Serie A side are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window, with Napoli eager to improve their defence in the off-season with Kalidou Koulibaly expected to leave.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Newcastle were interested in Bednarek in January, with defence a position Eddie Howe was set on strengthening during the winter window. However, Dan Burn was signed by the Magpies instead of the Saints star.
With 37-caps for Poland, Bednarek has developed into a solid centre-back since signing for Southampton in 2018, and now, Napoli are eyeing the defender ahead of the summer window following Newcastle’s interest in the Premier League rock.
With club legend Alan Shearer once labelling Bednarek as ‘heroic’, the Southampton defender could be ready to move on from the south coast this summer, and with Napoli now interested, this could be a very tempting move for the former Lech Poznan player.
Whilst Newcastle would be a logical next step for Bednarek, Napoli presents both a significant jump in quality in terms of club stature for the Pole as well as the chance to play European football, something the centre-back is yet to experience in his career.
Newcastle will have to do battle with Napoli for Bednarek
Bednarek’s season has been an impressive one, with Southampton quietly sitting in the top half of the table after a solid run of form in the Premier League, and for Newcastle, they could be about to lock horns with Napoli for the defender.
Indeed, the 25-year-old looks ready to move on from Southampton, and whilst Napoli can offer silverware and European football, Newcastle are far from out of the competition to sign Bednarek, who could start a bidding war between the two clubs.
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