OPINION
Newcastle should stay away from signing CSKA Moscow right back Mario Fernandes by halting their reported pursuit of him.
The Daily Star reported that the Magpies were considering making a £26.5million move for the Russian defender, with Atletico Madrid also showing interest.
The 28-year old flyer scored a single goal and registered nine assists this season in all competitions for the Russian giants, which has clearly sent a message to certain European clubs.
However, this may not be the right move for Rafa Benitez going into the summer transfer window, and the asking price which has been set for the defender almost seems too high for the player in question, and it would be seen as a real waste of money if the Magpies signed him.
Although the Magpies boss should definitely be looking for some defensive back-up going into the new season, the club can’t afford to be spending this much money on a defender, when there are still questions regarding who will be playing upfront for the club.
Fernandes is also relatively unproven at the top level of football, and has only played in the Brazilian and Russian leagues throughout his career, which makes his price tag seem pretty ludicrous to say the least.
Although he is currently injured, Newcastle already have an impressive first team right-back in the form of DeAndre Yedlin, and have back-up players who are able to play in that position, Javier Manquillo for example.
For this reason, it would seem like a silly move for Benitez to bring Fernandes into the club for this large sum, instead of focusing the clubs funds onto a permanent striker, which is arguably Newcastle’s main issue currently going into the new campaign.
