Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma has become the latest name linked with a summer move to St James’ Park.
According to new reports, Newcastle are one of several Premier League sides considering the tough-tackling Colombian; who’ll leave on a free transfer at the end of the season if he fails to sign a new deal with the Cherries.
Eddie Howe brought Lerma to England almost five years ago, where he sealed a £25m move from Levante, so the Toon boss will be well aware of the South American and may feel he’d be a shrewd addition to our squad.
It wouldn’t be an exciting addition, but he’d offer added steel and Premier League to a midfield in need of greater depth ahead of the hectic schedule that awaits us in 2023/24.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United have raided Man City – not for the first time since the takeover – to bring in Ciaran Hughes as the club’s new lead video analyst.
As revealed by The Chronicle, Hughes will work closely with Andy Howe (Eddie’s nephew), attend recruitment meetings and make recommendations for potential signing, also overseeing the new team of positional analysts that the club look set to bring in.
This is the third behind-the-scenes signing from the Etihad, as Paul Midgley (head of youth recruitment) and Paul McLaren (head of national youth scouting) have also swapped Man City for Newcastle over the past six months.
