OPINION
There are several areas of the Newcastle United squad which need bolstering this month, but full-back must be an absolute priority for Rafa Benitez.
His first-choice options DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett both walk straight into the team when fit, and are huge losses when injured.
Bringing in some cover in that area is vital if Benitez wants to steer the Magpies clear of relegation in the coming months, with there being several names linked to the club in recent weeks.
One of those is Strasbourg right-back Kenny Lala, who is having a remarkable season in Ligue 1 with three goals and six assists to his name.
France Football previously reported the Magpies’ interest in the 27-year-old, and things have been quiet since then regarding a move for the right-sided flyer.
Unfortunately for them it is now being reported that Real Betis are on the hunt for Lala, and are willing to pay £9million for his services.
Newcastle simply cannot allow that to happen and must now step up their interest in the right-back, who would be the perfect addition this month.
Current incumbent Yedlin is a solid player but he needs to be pushed – it feels as though his progress has stagnated in recent seasons due to a lack of competition.
Having a player like Lala, who is a goal threat and can provide quality services in attack, would be the perfect way of pushing Yedlin to the next level.
And, even by Mike Ashley’s standards, spending £9million on a red-hot player with good experience doesn’t seem out of the question for the Magpies.
They must now step up their pursuit of the 27-year-old before it is too late, with Betis looking hot on his trail.
