According to Record, Newcastle have now made an approach to sign Benfica full-back Nuno Tavares, who Burnley are also keen on.
The 21-year-old has a £76 million release clause in his contract with the Portuguese giants, which is an astronomical sum.
Newcastle or Burnley surely wouldn’t be able to get anywhere close to that.
However, Record claim that Benfica could sell the left-back for just £26 million.
It is not stated why that is, although we presume it’s down to the financial impacts of the global pandemic.
Many teams around Europe are desperate for cash, as a result of COVID-19.
So far this season, Tavares has made 21 appearances for Benfica, recording three assists from left-back.
He would be a costly signing, albeit a necessary one for Steve Bruce.
Newcastle don’t really have much competition behind Jamal Lewis, who they signed for £15 million from Norwich back in September.
Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie have deputised there at times, although the former is quite injury prone, and the latter isn’t a natural fit.
In our view, it seems unlikely that Mike Ashley would sanction a big-money deal for a 21-year-old from Benfica.
However, if new owners arrive at St James’ Park before the transfer window opens, who knows what will happen?
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