Eibar Sporting director Fran Garagarza has admitted that his club could be set to lose star centre-back Florian Lejeune to Newcastle United in the coming days.
After recent reports claimed that Newcastle had met the Frenchman’s £8.7m release clause, news today from Spain suggests the Benitez may be closing in on his man.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, the Eibar chief has confirmed today that Newcastle have been holding talks with the La Liga side over the 26-year-old defender, and look likely to sign him:
“I’m not very optimistic, I see it difficult for Lejeune to stay.”
“We are worried that Newcastle are taking very strong steps.”
Newcastle recently missed out on a deal for Ruben Semedo, who joined Villarreal this week, but Lejeune is understood to be the club’s preferred centre-back target having impressed in Spain last season, helping Eibar to a top half finish.
With the transfer window officially opening in England today, the arrival of Lejeune could be one to watch over the coming days, with Rafa keen to get the majority of his business done early this summer.
Want to know more about Lejeune? CLICK HERE for an in depth profile on the French centre-back.
