Newcastle United transfer rumours: Magpies set to rekindle ‘£40m’ defender chase, Toon reportedly plot raid for French striker
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Diego Carlos would be taking a ‘huge step’ to leave Sevilla for Newcastle United.
The Brazilian centre-back has requested to leave the La Liga side amid strong interest from The Magpies, who are desperate for defensive reinforcements before the end of the month.
Newcastle sit 19th in the Premier League and have the second worst defensive record in the Premier League while Sevilla are second in the Spanish top flight with the best defensive record in the division.
Carlos has been a regular in a side who have conceded just 13 times in 20 league matches this season.
And Lennon, who watched Newcastle’s 1-1 draw against Watford on Saturday, believes further signings are needed on Tyneside as they battle to avoid relegation.
“I was at St James’s Park at the weekend and [Kieran] Trippier was very good,” Lennon said on Sky Sports News. “Chris Wood is obviously still finding his feet as a new signing in there.
“But the real problems are in the middle of the team and centre-half is an area where they want to improve on. Diego Carlos has made it clear he wants to leave Sevilla so you imagine he’s looking at the aspirations of what Newcastle have to offer.
“But to leave a team second in La Liga to go to Newcastle is a huge step but obviously he’s bearing the ambitions of the club up.
“It’s not a quick fix for Newcastle, they’ve got a lot of work to do.”
1. Spurs ‘haggling’ for Traore
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte wants to make at least three signings this month as his side prepare to launch an assault on the top four. Spurs are also currently haggling over the £25m fee Wolves are demanding for Adama Traore. (Daily Star) (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
2. Palace willing to sell Benteke
Crystal Palace are willing to sell Christian Benteke for £12m, with Burnley interested in signing the striker. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
3. Albion chase Enciso
Paraguayan side Club Libertad are ‘analysing’ an offer from Brighton for their teenage forward Julio César Enciso. (VERSUS) (Photo by JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images)
4. Clarets enquire about Orsic
Burnley have made contact with Dinamo Zagreb over Croatia international Mislav Oršić, with the midfielder valued at around £10m. His club are determined to keep hold of the 29-year-old this month, however. (Lancs Live) (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)