Newcastle United are unlikely to sign free agent centre-back Diego Reyes despite showing interest in a deal for the Mexico international, according to a reliable journalist.
Chris Waugh, Newcastle reporter at the Chronicle, claimed on his personal Twitter account on Friday that an agreement to bring the 25-year-old enforcer to St. James’ Park is now not likely to go through.
Waugh reports that Premier League rivals West Ham are also in the hunt for the 6ft 3in ace [Transfermarkt], but the favourites to win the race for the former Porto player are Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Free agent Diego Reyes has been looked at by #nufc – but at this stage a deal is looking unlikely. Mexico international also has interest from West Ham & Fenerbahce, with the Turkish side favourites at the moment to sign ex-Porto centre-back
— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) July 20, 2018
OPINION
Newcastle’s disappointing summer is set to continue as the club look set to miss out on Reyes, who would have been a brilliant addition on a free transfer. Expectations at the start of the window were so high after the club’s top-half finish last season, but those hopes have slowly been torn down by owner Mike Ashley and his reluctance to spend. Manager Rafa Benitez has even begun to suggest that the club will be embroiled in another relegation battle next term, which in all honesty is looking likely. The club need to strengthen in several areas across the pitch, and centre-back is one position which could do with some reinforcement. 53-cap Mexico international Reyes had looked like a perfect candidate to do that, but it now looks like the club are even set to miss out on signing a free agent, something which they can not afford to be doing.
