BREAKING: Newcastle 'close' to signing Sporting Lisbon star after £12m bid is accepted
Breaking news from Portugal today that Newcastle United have had a £12m bid accepted for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ruben Semedo after NUFC representatives arrived in Portugal to push through a deal.
It has been well documented that a centre-back is high on the list of priorities for Rafa Benitez, with the Spaniard understood to be targeting TWO centre-halves this summer.
Whilst there has been several links to Eliaquim Mangala in recent days, a move for Semedo appears to be in the offing.
Portuguese source 'O'Jogo' recently claimed that United had seen a £10.4m bid for the defender rejected, however the same source (O'Jogo) now report that a £12m deal has been agreed after Newcastle United officials arrived in Portugal to negotiate a move for the highly-rated centre-back. O'Jogo also state that Sporting Lisbon will receive 20% of any future for Semedo as part of the agreement.
The transfer fee had appeared to have been the sticking point, with Lisbon previously believed to be demanding £17m for the player, but Newcastle officials appear to have acted quickly to tie up a deal.
Semedo would be considered quite a coup if Benitez was able to pull this one off, with several reports crediting Southampton, Everton, West Ham and AC Milan with an interest in the 23-year-old.
Here's Ruben in action for Sporting Lisbon last season..
