Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balagué has provided an interesting update on Rafa Benitez’s alleged pursuit of ex-Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas, revealing Rafa IS an admirer of the Porto goalkeeper, but will NOT try to sign him in January – with NUFC looking set to prioritise other deals this winter.
It was reported in The Mirror in October that ourselves and Liverpool were ‘keeping a close eye’ on Casillas’ situation at Porto, and that rumour emerged once again yesterday, with a story on the front page of ‘Jornal de Noticias’ (Portuguese paper) stating that the Spanish stopper was “In Newcastle’s plans” ahead of the January window.
These resurfacing rumours have been put to bed by Spanish football expert Gullem Balague however, with the reputable Sky Sports journalist stating on Twitter that Benitez will not make a move for him this winter:
“Benitez is an admirer of Casillas but he is not going to try to sign him.
“Newcastle has got other targets for January.”
Benitez is an admirer of Casillas but he is not going to try to sign him. Newcastle has got other targets for January
Benitez, pese a admirar al portero, no tiene a Casillas entre sus futuribles pic.twitter.com/RBJOZ5ZSZ6
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 4, 2017
The Chronicle have also knocked this one on the head, stating that ‘sources at United were quick to play down such talk’.
Casillas having another six months left on his contract at Porto, however the Spaniard would demand a big salary – with him understood to be on around £5 million a year in Portugal.
With Napoli’s Pepe Reina and Willy Caballero being two experienced stopper Rafa clearly made attempts to bring to NUFC over the summer, Casillas may fit the bill to some extent, however this one, as reported, doesn’t seem likely at all.
