Newcastle are confident of securing a £5million deal for Manchester City’s 29-year-old midfielder Fernando, according to the Sun.
In a report on the newspaper’s website, it is said that Magpies boss Rafael Benitez is set to to beat off competition from Premier League rivals Southampton and Bournemouth for the Brazilian enforcer.
Fernando cost City £12million when he signed from Portuguese side Porto, and the Sun claim that Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to recoup at least £8million for his signature this summer.
However, Benitez is said to be confident he can secure a deal for the midfielder just £5million, the player having fallen out of the first team reckoning and with his contract set to run out next summer.
He made just five top flight starts for the Sky Blues last season, and notched up 27 appearances across all competitions, with the majority coming from the substitutes bench.
The Brazilian, who made his Premier League debut against the Magpies in a 2-0 away win, is said to be keen on a move to St James’ Park after holding talks with the club.
He would have to compete with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback for a place in the starting XI at Newcastle, as Benitez looks to inject some Premier League experience to his squad ahead of their return from the Championship.
This breakthrough could mark a change in fortunes for the North East side in the transfer market, having been dealt a number of blows in their pursuit of top targets, including missing out on striker Tammy Abraham as he chose to move to Swansea, according to the Mirror.