Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign Toulouse centre-back Christopher Jullien, according to a reliable journalist.
Robin Bairner, correspondent for Goal, reported on his personal Twitter account on Thursday that the Magpies were one of three Premier League sides keeping tabs on the 25-year-old.
Bairner claimed that Southampton and Everton were the other two top-flight sides interested in the 6ft 5in giant enforcer [Transfermarkt], who is said to be available for around £8.8million this summer.
Newcastle, Southampton and Everton among the side tracking Toulouse centre-back Christopher Jullien, according to local sources. #NUFC #SaintsFC
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 2, 2018
In the region of €10m – bargain by this summer's standards.
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 2, 2018
OPINION
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is on the prowl for a new centre-back following the serious injury suffered by Florian Lejeune, with the Frenchman set to spend several months on the sidelines. The Magpies have already bought one central defender this summer, with Fabian Schar arriving for £3.5million from Deportivo La Coruna, but Benitez has been forced back into the market by Lejeune’s unfortunate injury. Spending £8.8million on Jullien would be a shrewd piece of business for the club, with the 25-year-old being a regular for Toulouse over the past two seasons. Jullien’s big frame, standing at 6ft 5in, would put him in good stead to compete in the Premier League instantly, and Newcastle would do well to snap him up. However, considering the club’s shambolic window so far, the probability of that happening would seem rather low. With just seven days left until the window closes, times are becoming desperate for the Magpies, with Benitez quite obviously frustrated at the lack of backing received this summer.
