OPINION
Newcastle United are yet to make any movements in the summer so far, with manager Rafa Benitez assessing his options amid the prospect of another low-spending transfer window.
The club hierarchy, led by owner Mike Ashley, are set to restrict the club’s spending once again despite their success in finishing tenth last season, and Benitez is set to dip into the bargain market to bolster his squad.
This obviously limits the Spaniard’s options massively, and he will no doubt be forced to miss out on several of his top summer targets, who will be deemed too expensive.
However, an opportunity occasionally arises in the window for clubs to snap up a world-class player for a low fee, and that looks to have happened this time around for the Magpies.
As reported by Record, Inter Milan are preparing a move for Portugal international William Carvalho, who has severed his contract with Sporting Lisbon following an attack on players by fans.
Despite Carvalho technically being a free agent, Inter are willing to pay £8.8million and a player for his services in an attempt to avoid a legal dispute with Sporting.
Reports elsewhere have linked several Premier League clubs with a move for the midfield enforcer, who is currently starring at the World Cup for Portugal.
This is a huge opportunity for Newcastle to swoop and bring in a top-class midfielder for a low price, or even for free, depending on the threat of legal action.
Carvalho has been one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders for the past few seasons, and played a pivotal role as Portugal won the Euros in 2016.
The 26-year-old is obviously seeking a new challenge this summer, and Newcastle must enter the hunt and offer him the chance to come to Tyneside.
Benitez is known to want a central midfielder to bolster his ranks, and Carvalho would walk into the Newcastle starting XI if they did end up signing him.
This is an extremely rare chance for Benitez to strengthen hugely at a low price, and he must not pass it up as he looks to bolster his ranks with quality players this summer.
