Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign Croatian midfielder Milan Badelj, according to the Daily Mirror.
The national newspaper claim that the Magpies along with several other Premier League clubs have been alerted to the fact the 29-year-old defensive midfielder is currently available for free after his Fiorentina contract expired.
The Daily Mirror report that with Rafa Benitez operating on a sell-to-buy or loan-only policy currently then Badelj is a possible option he could look to sign.
OPINION
The 6ft 1in tall midfielder (Transfermarkt) is certainly a decent option for Benitez to look sign but he doesn’t address any of the key areas that the Magpies must ensure they improve this summer. If Badelj is recruited then it might only be done in order to allow Isaac Hayden to the leave. The current Magpies midfielder is thought to have boldly handed in a transfer request, as reported by the Chronicle, in order to move closer to his family. Given that Badelj plays in the same position as Hayden, he could be a like-for-like replacement in order for Benitez not to find himself a player short before the start of the season. The 29-year-old midfielder featured three times for Croatia at the World Cup in Russia, scoring one goal while assisting one, as his nation went on to reach the final of the tournament. So Badelj will be potentially arriving at St James Park on the back of a moral boosting time at the prestigious international tournament and given his status, then the Magpies could easily wrap up a deal for him even if there is drama occurring behind the scenes.
