Newcastle United have been given first refusal on a January deal for Chelsea left-back Kenedy but his arrival depends on whether the Blues manage to sign a replacement, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper report that Chelsea are chasing possible deals for Juventus’ Alex Sandro and Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, with Antonio Conte reluctant to let his flyer leave without bringing in another back-up for Marcos Alonso.
The Standard claim that if Chelsea do manage to bring in a new signing in that area, then Newcastle will be granted the option of a deal for 21-year-old Kenedy.
It is also said that Rafa Benitez has made an enquiry about out-of-favour Blues star David Luiz.
Good move for Newcastle United?
It looks like Benitez will be mostly restricted to loan deals in the January window, and Kenedy would be about as good as the loan market could offer in January.
Benitez is now just focusing on deals for players that will secure the club’s survival, before a takeover is completed by the summer which will allow him to focus on the long-term.
Kenedy is a talented young player who is yet to get a real go in the Premier League, despite showing his quality on many occasions for the Blues.
The left-side of defence has been a big problem for Newcastle ever since Paul Dummett’s opening day injury, and Kenedy will help provide cover there, while also offering a dangerous option on the left wing.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Since this deal is dependent on Chelsea completing a move for Sandro or Lemar, we need to look at how likely those signings are to happen.
Chelsea have been long-term admirers of Sandro, failing to sign him in the summer, but as reported by the Standard, they face heavy competition from Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.
Lemar, one of Monaco’s star players, is usually deployed as an attacker, but Conte is reportedly keen to use him in a deeper role if need be.
The French international has however, as reported by the Independent, named Liverpool as the English club he would like to join if he leaves the south of France.
A deal for Sandro would seem the more likely, and it looks as though Newcastle may finally get their man by the end of the January window.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10