OPINION
Newcastle should rival Burnley for the signature of Celtic centre-back Jozo Simunovic this month after suffering a defensive crisis at centre-back.
The Scottish Sun claims Sean Dyche’s Burnley are lining up a £10million offer for the 22-year-old Croatian.
It is said the Clarets sent chief scout Martin Hodge to Parkhead last week to watch the defender, who kept an impressive 18 clean sheets in 33 league and cup appearances last season.
However, Newcastle must join the race to sign the former Dinamo Zagreb defender after new signing Florian Lejeune suffered an injury just 38 minutes into his debut for the Toon.
During Newcastle’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham last Sunday, the former Eibar defender was on the receiving end of a robust tackle from Harry Kane and left St James’ Park on crutches.
Earlier on in the match, Paul Dummett suffered a hamstring injury and that saw Ciaran Clark move over to the left side of defence during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield on Sunday.
It leaves just Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles as options at centre-back, with Grant Hanley unlikely to be recalled with his future still expected to be away from Tyneside come deadline day.
Benitez will know he needs a new central defender, and bringing Simunovic to St. James’ Park would give the Toon another option at the heart of the defence.
The defender showed last season against Scottish Premiership rivals and Champions League sides that he is strong in defence and more than capable of dictating the tempo of play from the defence.
Tough in the tackle, strong in the air and with plenty of years still ahead of him, Simunovic is a bargain at just £10million and Benitez must do all he can to convince owner Mike Ashley to stump up the necessary cash.