OPINION
If you had suggested at the start of the season that Newcastle United would have any chance of snapping up Tottenham’s Davinson Sanchez you would have been met with laughter and ridicule.
Admittedly, even now it seems daft to suggest that the Magpies could prise the Colombian international from their Premier League rivals but that is exactly what Don Balon have suggested – on the proviso that Newcastle’s proposed takeover deal does eventually go through.
The Spanish news outlet claim that the Spurs defender is Rafael Benitez’s dream signing if new owners bring increased funds to St James’ Park, although a £60million asking price from the north Londoners might ward them off should they come calling.
It is stated that Benitez wants Sanchez at the heart of his defence alongside Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, with Florian Lejeune said to be the defender in the firing line ahead of next season.
Now Sanchez would be a massive coup for the club but with regards to who he is set to replace, Lejeune is not the problem on Tyneside.
If anything it should be club captain Lascelles feeling the heat rise after a mixed season, Schar and Lejeune impressing with their ball playing abilities before the Frenchman’s season ending injury.
The fact that the duo are among Newcastle’s top five in terms of their WhoScored rating, with over double the average number of tackles and more interceptions per game, should show that they are worthy of keeping their place at the heart of defence.
It is perhaps the area where Newcastle need to strengthen least but if Benitez wants Sanchez then he should be allowed to get him – but not at Lejeune’s expense.