OPINION
Newcastle United will have nothing to lose if they make the decision to sign Loris Benito on a free transfer this summer.
According to The Sun, the 27-year old landed in London on Monday and could be ready to begin final talks with Newcastle ahead of a reported switch to St. James’ Park.
The newspaper also previously reported that the Swiss enforcer was a target this window for Rafa Benitez, and the move is now looking more likely to happen over the coming months.
Benito has made 41 appearances for Young Boys this season, scoring one goal and also registering six assists throughout the campaign in the Swiss Super League.
Arguably, the Magpies have nothing to lose in their reported pursuit of the defender, who’s contract is due to expire with Young Boys in July 2019. (Source: Transfermrkt)
Benitez has had a fair few problems defensively over this last season, especially after the Magpies’ loan signing of Antonio Barecca didn’t particularly work out in the end after the defender only featured once for Newcastle.
Benito has a lot of experience on the European stage, and had also won league titles in Portugal and Switzerland, with Benfica and Young Boys respectively, so he wouldn’t be coming to St. James’ Park unprepared.
The 27-year old has also made six appearances in the Champions League this season, and this is the kind of experience in which Benitez will be looking to bring into Newcastle ahead of the new Premier League season.
All of this useful experience will be available for free come July, as the Swiss defender’s contract is due to run out, meaning there is literally nothing to lose for the Magpies with this reported pursuit.
There is relatively zero risk in the move, which could prove to have significant reward for the club if the deal comes to fruition, so the Magpies should snap him up.
