Newcastle United have reportedly made a double bid for Dinamo Zagreb duo Filip Benkovic and Ante Coric.
According to Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti, Newcastle United are interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb defender Filip Benkovic as well as star playmaker Ante Coric.
The Magpies sit top of the Championship table with 58 points from 27 league games, and Rafael Benitez’s men appear to be the hot favourites for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Filip Benkovic challenges Sevilla’s Vitolo
Benitez already has a strong squad at his disposal, but with just over week to go until the transfer window slams shut, Newcastle may yet be in the market for new signings having so far failed to make a move.
Now, Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti report that, not only are Newcastle keen on Dinamo Zagreb’s star playmaker Ante Coric, but also want their impressive young defender Filip Benkovic.
Dinamo have aided the careers of some of Croatia’s top defenders in recent years, with Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Tin Jedvaj and Jozo Simunovic all passing through the club, and Benkovic appears to be on the same trajectory towards a big move to another European club.
Filip Benkovic in action with Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain
Benkovic, 19, joined the Dinamo youth ranks back in 2008, and he’s now become a first-team star at the Stadion Maksimir, and the Croatia Under-21 international has been catching the eye.
Standing at a huge 6ft 4in tall, Benkovic possesses great strength and aerial ability, and his current ability as well as his huge ability appear to have attracted the interest of Newcastle boss Benitez.
Sportske Novosti claim that Newcastle want to lure Benkovic to Tyneside, and have offered a package deal of £26million for the defender as well as teenage playmaker Ante Coric – but Dinamo have rejected that bid.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle return with another bid, but that’s a huge amount of money for two teenagers if the report is true, and suggests that Benitez may not be happy with his defensive options – such as Grant Hanley, who has struggled since his summer move from Blackburn Rovers – as he’s targeting Benkovic.
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