NUFC make loan move for experienced international – Player ‘keen’ but club want £10m – Report

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Argentinian centre-back Federico Fernandez on loan – with Swansea demanding a fee of £10m for him instead this summer.

With a knee injury ruling Florian Lejeune out for the vast majority of the season, Rafa has admitted that he now needs another centre-back – and it seems as though Fernandez could be the one he wants.

He’s available this summer after Swansea’s relegation and is a player Benitez will know well – having played under him at Napoli – however a loan deal doesn’t seem likely.

Here’s what Lee Ryder’s had to say about our attempts to sign him today, claiming that Fernandez would ‘welcome’ a move to Tyneside but that Swansea are NOT interested in a loan deal:

‘Newcastle United are understood to have had disappointing news on a loan enquiry for Swansea City’s Federico Fernandez.

‘Rafa Benitez made it clear that United were on the look out for another centre-back following a cruciate ligament injury to Florian Lejeune.

‘United had Fernandez on their shortlist earlier in the window before moving for Fabian Schar.

‘Fernandez would still welcome a move to Tyneside after being relegated with Swansea last season.

‘But while a loan deal for the 29-year-old would suit Newcastle’s needs while Lejeune is injured, Swansea want a fee for the Argentinian.

‘The Swans have made it clear that the only way Fernandez will sign for Newcastle is if the Magpies pay a £10million fee for his services.’

In fairness, why would Swansea loan him out? They’ll have taken a hit financially following relegation, so they’ll undoubtedly be looking to cash in before anything else.

From our perspective, £10m seems a little steep for a player nearing his 30′ – even if he would fit the bill, having experience at Premier League level, playing over 30 times for his country and knowing Rafa Benitez well.

With us not having a great deal of money to spend (or so it would seem), I really don’t see us spending this sort of money on a centre-back who’ll only be brought in to cover Lejeune for the next 6-8 months.

If a loan deal is not possible, I expect us to look elsewhere.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

2 thoughts on “NUFC make loan move for experienced international – Player ‘keen’ but club want £10m – Report

  1. “He’s available this summer after Swansea’s relegation and is a player Benitez will know well – having played under him at Napoli …..

    So – let me get this right, Benitez played under Fernandez at Napoli?

      (Quote)

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