Newcastle representatives travelled to Madrid this week to hold meetings with several agents of La Liga players ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Relevo report that the club’s representatives have been staying at the luxurious Rosewood Villa Magna hotel in Madrid and have been sounding out options to strengthen their squad.
They have been looking for a centre-back for some time now, a player who can lead at the back. Newcastle are one of the few clubs in the world that can afford a salary of €8m net for a centre-back, which is why they intend to negotiate with La Liga clubs, knowing that they can afford a high transfer fee and convince a player with a high salary.
Last season they paid €70m plus €5m in variables for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak. Aymeric Laporte, who is expected to leave Manchester City, is a player they are monitoring.
As well as a defender, Newcastle also want to add a top player to their attack and are looking at João Félix, a forward who they believe would add quality.
The Portuguese’s loan spell at Chelsea ends on 30 June and there is still no decision on whether or not he will stay with the Blues. The Portuguese would prefer to stay in the Premier League and all parties are looking for a solution, at least for next season.
Interest in Chukwueze
Another of the forwards that the English club are interested in is Villarreal’s Samu Chukwueze. The Nigerian’s name is on the agenda of several Premier League clubs.
In the last summer transfer window he was on the verge of leaving for Everton and on the last day of the window, he didn’t train, with the possibility of a transfer going through.
He is having a great season with the Yellow Submarine (13 goals and 11 assists) and scored a recent brace at the Bernabéu. Last summer he was valued at between €20m and €25m and Villarreal would have no objections.
In short, the Magpies have set their sights on Spain in their process of building a team capable of challenging for titles.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
