Rafa Benitez is set for more frustration in the transfer market after Championship side Swansea have slapped a £10million valuation on defender Federico Fernandez, according to the Sun.
The report from their transfer expert Alan Nixon, claims that Newcastle had wanted to take the Argentinian on loan.
However, Swansea have said no to this and demanded the huge fee for the 29-year-old.
Newcastle have agreed a fee of £20million for Aleksandar Mitrovic, which could free up funds for Fernandez, but Benitez still wants to bring in a striker despite their £10million move for Japan’s Yoshinori Muto.
Nixon claims that a move for West Brom striker Salomon Rondon is looking less likely now as they want to keep hold of Dwight Gayle.
West Brom were looking for a swap deal.
Good move for Newcastle?
A loan move would have been good but after Benitez brought in Fabian Schar, there’s less need for another centre-back, especially if the club sticks to its word and doesn’t sell Jamal Lascelles. It would seem far more important to use the £20million from the Mitrovic sale to bring in another striker, and fans won’t be too unhappy to hear that a move for Rondon is looking like it might be off. He didn’t show enough in the Premier League with West Brom to indicate that he could deliver at St James’ Park.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10
Likely to happen?
Not at £10million. Benitez has precious little money to spend on players this summer and he’s not going to blow half of the money he’s getting from Mitrovic on another centre-back. Fernandez is a former Argentina international who impressed with Swansea last season, despite them getting relegated. However, Swansea obviously want to keep hold of him and as he has two years left on his contract, they’re under no necessity to sell. We think this one is dead in the water unless Swansea reconsider a loan move.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10