Could Jamal Lewis be set for a loan, amid reported Newcastle interest in Nuno Tavares?

Add as preferred source on Google

Reports linking Newcastle United to Benfica talent Nuno Tavares don’t seem to be letting up.

In recent days Record have reported that the Premier League club could be set to open negotiations over the 21-year-old left-back.

Tavares has supposedly been on the Magpies’ radar for a while.

Benfica could potentially sell this summer, and it’s also been reported they are looking at Ruben Vinagre, who has impressed on loan at Farmalicao.

One wonders if the stars could be aligning for Tavares to make a switch to St. James’ Park.

It’s probably unlikely, but if he did that would raise questions about the immediate future of Jamal Lewis.

The star was brought in last summer from relegated Norwich City for an initial reported fee of £15 million, rising to £20 million (BBC Sport).

It has been a tough season for the Northern Ireland international, who has dropped out of the team in recent weeks.

Matt Ritchie is proving how invaluable he is to the squad, and it would be no surprise if there was a scramble to offer him a new contract, despite the issues there’s been.

That would certainly make life difficult for Lewis if Tavares was also brought in.

Loan in the offing?

At times this season Lewis has looked suspect, and now the form of Ritchie is doing him no favours.

It may be that the club decides he needs a loan for 2021/22, just so he can go out and rediscover his mojo and confidence.

That possibility will increase significantly if the club successfully brings in Tavares and keeps Ritchie around – which is something most Toon fans would love to see.