Newcastle United have serious competition if they are to revive their interest in Benfica star Alejandro Grimaldo.
The Magpies felt the full force of Grimaldo in pre-season when he unleashed a free-kick past Nick Pope in a 3-2 friendly win last July. Since then the left-back has rejected a new contract offer from Benfica and looks set to run his current deal down in Lisbon.
This has alerted the likes of Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan who are all keen on taking the defender for next season on a Bosman deal. Reports in Italy this week have also suggested that Juve had been in Lisbon this week to talk with Grimaldo's representatives and discuss a lucrative three-year offer
Eddie Howe made it clear on Friday, Newcastle were still assessing the market and unlike last winter they have not found themselves in any bidding wars for targets. Howe stated at his Press conference that Newcastle are looking for players in all positions.
He said: "We are casting our eye overall positions. "Because things change so quickly."
Injured duo making good progress in the treatment room
Newcastle United were rocked by a double injury blow over the festive period as both Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Targett suffered calf and heel problems respectively. Howe was cautious when asked for timescales as to not increase pressure on either player.
But it looks like both will feature again this season. When asked on Friday, Howe said: "Matt Targett and Jonjo Shelvey continue their journey back - I think they've both respectively been doing well, but they're still some time away."
Garang Kuol ecstatic with move to Tynecastle
Eddie Howe said that the club gave the Australian international teenager a big say in his loan destination for the rest of the season this week. And the 18-year-old opted for a stint at Heart of Midlothian.
It means that Kuol will not be too far away from his Tyneside base and that loan manager Shola Ameobi can keep tabs on the youngster with a short two hour journey for home games. Speaking about his loan stint, Kuol, who signed from Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners, said: "The gaffer also persuaded me to come here with the plan that he put to me for my development. "Overall, the club has great ambitions and goals and that was something I wanted to be involved in. "I think it was a very good decision."
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