Newcastle United were restricted to just four new signings this summer but are now expected to follow those up with further recruitments in the January transfer window, with early reports already linking them with a transfer battle involving Arsenal.
The Magpies spent just over £120million in the last few months and could now add to that with a relatively cheap signing for ‘less than €10m (£8.6m)’ with the capture of Benfica ace Alex Grimaldo, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract.
But Eddie Howe’s side are said to renew rivalries with Arsenal for his signature, with the Gunners also believed to be one of the interested parties, as the Spanish defender is expected to be available for a cut price fee.
According to TuttoJuve, it has been made clear that Juventus are looking at a January transfer for Grimaldo, although the Italian outlet have presented the Magpies and the Gunners as competition for the Turin club.
The Benfica left back will be able to agree on pre-contract terms with a new club at the start of next year should his current deal not be extended by Benfica ahead of its expiry at the end of the season, meaning the Portuguese outfit may look to cash in while they can.
And Newcastle are casting their eye over the 26-year-old as a result, who scored against them in a 3-2 friendly win in July, despite having signed Matt Targett on a permanent deal from Aston Villa this summer for £15m.
How many signings do you expect Newcastle to make in the January transfer window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Grimaldo is a product of the Barcelona academy but has spent his entire senior career with Benfica after signing for the Lisbon-based outfit in January 2016 for just €1.5m (£1.3m), although an important factor to consider for As Aguias and Newcastle, should they pursue a deal, is that the Catalan outfit have the rights to a percentage of any future sale.
However, this shouldn’t be a problem for the richest club in the world, who would also be getting one of the most highly rated players in the Primeira Liga, having made 259 appearances in all competitions for Benfica since joining more than six years ago.
Grimaldo has won eight trophies with the Portuguese giants, including three league titles, and has recorded 20 goals and 52 assists during his time at the club - most recently scoring and assisting in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League.
Howe has completely upgraded Newcastle’s defence this year, with the signings of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Targett back in January followed up by Sven Botman and goalkeeper Nick Pope this summer, yet it appears that he could still be after further reinforcements.
Jamal Lewis is the only other recognised left back in Newcastle’s squad, although versatile right back Javier Manquillo can fill in if necessary, as can centre back’s Burn and Paul Dummett, although the Magpies may feel as though they need a higher quality of player to challenge Targett.
And this wouldn’t be the first time that Newcastle are involved in a transfer battle with Arsenal, having beaten them to the signing of Bruno Guimaraes in January, but the two sides could be set to go head-to-head once again if the reports from Italy are to be believed.
