Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia in the coming days, according to The Sun.
The newspaper report that the Red Devils could let the Ecuador international leave before the January deadline, with a loan or even a free transfer on the cards if they pay out his contract.
The Sun claim that Newcastle are keen on signing the 33-year-old, but will only strike a deal if United decide to pay the rest of Valencia’s deal and let him leave for free.
OPINION
Signing a player with the wealth of experience that Valencia has would be a masterstroke for Newcastle in the coming days. Manager Rafa Benitez seemed resigned to the fact that the Magpies may not sign anyone before the deadline, but bringing in a player like Valencia is a chance that they simply cannot pass up. The 33-year-old may be getting on a bit, but Valencia has been a mainstay for Manchester United for so many seasons, and that kind of experience is exactly what Newcastle need in their battle against relegation. It is also a perfect move when you look at the Magpies squad, with Benitez desperately in need of quality cover at full-back. On the right side, where Valencia plays, DeAndre Yedlin simply walks into the starting team every week due to a lack of competition. Bringing Valencia in would change that, while also providing an extra option on the wing when needed.
