Newcastle United are believed to have agreed a €10m (£8.7m) deal to sign Eibar centre-back Florian Lejeune according to the Daily Mirror (NUFC’s official media partner) last night.
It was reported earlier this week that Rafa Benitez held an interest in the 26-year-old Frenchman following his impressive displays in Spain last season, and the Mirror now report that Newcastle have triggered the defenders release clause.
Lee Ryder from the Chronicle backed up claims of United’s interest in the player, posting this tweet last night:
#nufc have held talks with Eibar over the signing of Florian Lejeune. They hope to bring the player in next month if all goes to plan.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) June 3, 2017
The story claims that Benitez is scouring the Spanish market this summer, having a number of players in La Liga on his wanted list over the coming months.
Lejeune signed for Manchester City in 2015, but was immediately loaned back to Spanish second division side Girona. The 6t 3′ stopper failed to make a single appearance at the Etihad, and was sold to Eibar last summer for £1.2m.
Since then the Frenchman has caught the eye in Spain, helping Eibar to a top half finish in La Liga last season, with his performances seeing him linked with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham.
With a deal for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ruben Semedo also in the offing, it appears Benitez is moving quickly to revamp the centre of Newcastle’s defence ahead of our return to the top flight.