Newcastle are set to complete the signing of Eibar defender Florian Lejeune, according to a Mirror report.
The newspaper claims the Magpies have triggered the 26-year-old centre-back’s £8.7million release clause, and he will become the club’s second signing of the summer, following Christian Atsu’s arrival last week.
It is said Toon manager Rafa Benitez has received good reports on the former Man City defender and he has decided to bring him to St James’ Park.
The report states Benitez will look to use the sale of Grant Hanley to fund part of the £8.7million fee for Lejeune, and that the player comes highly recommended by his contacts in Spain.
This comes after the Northern Echo reported the Toon had made contact with Eibar over a potential move for the Frenchman.
Benitez is looking to strengthen his squad this summer ahead of his side’s return to the Premier League next term.
Lejeune joined Eibar for £1.3million from City last summer, and he has since become a crucial player for the club, playing 37 league and cup games this term.
The 26-year-old began his career at French outfit Istres, but since then he has featured for Villarreal and Stade Brest, as well as spending a season at City where he was loaned out to Girona.
He was capped seven times by France Under-20s, but has never been included in his nation’s senior squad.