Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is targeting a January move for Bologna defender Filip Helander, according to the Express.
The newspaper claims that the Magpies boss has been impressed by reports he has received on the 6ft 3in Swede [Source: Transfermarkt] and is ready to push to sign him once the winter transfer window opens.
The Spaniard is hoping to receive funds to strengthen his struggling squad, having operated on a shoestring budget again this summer.
Helander, who nominally operates as a centre back, made 29 appearances in Serie A last season, but has seen his progress hampered in recent weeks by a knee injury.
OPINION
Of all the positions that Benitez would want to strengthen, and there are many of them, the centre of defence doesn’t look like it would be a major priority. Newcastle signed Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar, both centre backs, this summer, while the club already has Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Florian Lejeune on its books. Centre half just doesn’t seem like the team’s biggest area of weakness. Surely central midfield, left back, number 10 or up front are all greater areas of concern come January. Creativity has been the big problem for Newcastle this season, so it makes no sense for the club to be linked with a centre back. The Magpies need a James Maddison type of player who can unlock opposition defences, not another defensive recruit to enable Benitez’s more reserved tactical tendencies. This is surely a move best avoided for Newcastle, and the club should move on to other areas.
