Newcastle United are close to taking Barcelona defender Marlon Santos on loan, according to Sport.
The Spanish football outlet claim that the Magpies are willing to pay £1.8million to take the 22-year-old Brazilian centre-back on loan.
Sport report that the deal isn’t yet complete as the Magpies need to apply for a work permit for Marlon in order for him to be eligible to play for the Premier League side.
It is believed that the seven-figure loan deal does not included an option for Rafa Benitez’s side to permanently buy the player.
OPINION
This would be an excellent deal for the Magpies to get done ahead of the transfer window slamming shut. The 22-year-old Brazilian has all the attributes needed to flourish in the Premier League and would easily give Benitez a capable centre-back to call upon if needed. Marlon spent his 2017/18 campaign on loan at French club OGC Nice and put in several dominant displays in his 27 outings for them. Given the talented prospect has only managed to make three appearances for Barcelona during his career so far then it’s easy to see why he is available for a temporary spell away from the Nou Camp. The Spanish giants clearly don’t want his progress to stall and regular playing time at a club like the Magpies would continue his promising development. It seems all the Magpies needed to do is ensure that themselves and the player secure him a work permit in order for this deal to go through.
