Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign Real Betis left-back Junior Firpo, according to ABC Sevilla.
The Spanish news outlet claims that Newcastle and Crystal Palace have both sent scouts to keep close tabs on the 22-year-old, who has been in red-hot form lately by scoring three goals in his last four La Liga appearances.
It is understood that Firpo has a release clause in his contract worth a huge £44.6million, meaning that whoever wants to buy the Dominican Republic-born flyer would have to spend up to that much to get him.
Good move for Newcastle?
Rafa Benitez desperately needs a new left-back in the January transfer window as Paul Dummett is the only recognised player of that position in the first team.
Kenedy can play there but is better suited in attack, plus his form has been woeful, and Achraf Lazaar has been completely frozen out.
Firpo is a very attack-minded full-back and has been playing as a wing-back for Real Betis this season.
He has scored against Celta Vigo, Real Socidedad and Barcelona, at the Nou Camp, in recent weeks, so it is clear that he is someone who is in great form and could do a really good job for the Magpies.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
If Mike Ashley is still around then Newcastle have no chance at all.
Firpo’s release clause is huge and given the form he is in, Real Betis are unlikely to ask for much less than that £44.6million fee.
However if Ashley does sell up – and he has claimed he wants to do so by the end of the month – then a move could be on the cards in Mauryan.
This is Futbol rating 2/10