Rafa Benitez is ‘looking into a loan deal’ to sign Swansea centre-back Federico Fernandez according to the Sun – with the defender set to leave the club this summer following their relegation.
InterestIngly, he’s a player Benitez will know very well, having played under the Spaniard at Napoli prior to his £8m move to Swansea in the summer of 2014.
He’s 29, stands 6ft 3′ tall and has made 127 Premier League appearances over the last four seasons – also racking up 32 caps for Argentina.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon claims he’s been made available for £6m, however it sounds like Benitez is being forced to consider a loan move instead – showing just how little money he’s been given to spend if true:
‘Benitez is also looking into a loan deal for Swansea’s centre-half Federico Fernandez to add him to his Newcastle squad.
‘The Argentinian can leave the relegated Swans for £6m but Benitez hopes that the club will consider a year-long temporary transfer.’
I’m not sure quite how a loan deal would work for him given he’d probably be signed to be nothing more than back up to Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune, however he would be a solid replacement for the departing Chancel Mbemba.
As I mentioned earlier, Fernandez will know Benitez very well, with him having the following to say about the gaffer after he left Napoli four years ago:
“The development I had under Benitez allowed me to move to the Premier League. Here football is different to Serie A.
“I appreciate Rafa a lot, and he sent me a good message when I joined Swansea. I thank him because he allowed me to grow. Last season he put faith in me and I learnt a lot. It prepared me for the Premier League.”
Would you be happy to have him?
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