OPINION
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is desperately trying to bring in at least one defender before the 5pm deadline tomorrow (Thursday), and the club have reportedly reignited their interest in Swansea centre-back Federico Fernandez.
As reported by Sun reporter Alan Nixon on his personal Twitter account, the Magpies have come back in for the 29-year-old Argentina international in what would be a permanent transfer.
Fernandez has been a reported target for Benitez all summer, with the two men knowing each other well from their time at Napoli together several years ago.
The Argentina enforcer has spoken of his desire to remain at the top level, with the BBC previously quoting him as saying: “Of course, I have a contract with Swansea. I am here working hard. But really I want to try, if a club is interested in me, to play at another level.”
With less than 30 hours remaining in the transfer window, Newcastle are under huge pressure to try and get this deal over the line, and they must not mess about in their pursuit of Fernandez.
Swansea were previously thought to be holding out for £10million for the 29-year-old, and the club must now look to table a sensible offer that the Championship club may accept.
The Swans may be looking to offload Fernandez’s pay packet from their wage bill, and an offer around the £7million or £8million mark may do the trick.
The Magpies have been heavily linked with a £9million move for PSG defender Stanley N’Soki, so that kind of money is definitely available to Benitez in the closing hours of the window.
While Fernandez does not offer a long-term option, the fact is that the club cannot afford to be picky at this point, and must now just do all they can to secure the 29-year-old.
