Newcastle may go back in for rapid £45m left-back soon – journalist

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It looks like Newcastle United may not be done raiding AC Milan after signing Sandro Tonali.

CBS Journalist Ben Jacobs has appeared on Steve Wraith’s NUFC Matters podcast to talk Newcastle transfers and has suggested that the Magpies may not be finished with their business with AC Milan.

Milan’s pacey left-back Theo Hernandez is on Newcastle’s radar as they look for a new full-back who is comfortable going forward down the left like Kieran Trippier is on the right.

The Tonali deal could impact Newcastle’s ability to sign Hernandez

France international Theo Hernandez certainly fits that bill as the 25-year-old managed four goals and five assists in 45 games for Milan last season.

Ben Jacobs has confirmed there’s definite interest from Newcastle for Hernandez but the deal could be a tricky one to pull off, ironically due to the Sandro Tonali transfer.

“We know left-back is a priority and he is sort of known for that speediness but also goalscoring ability as well,” said Jacobs.

“All of this adds up to being a very real possibility. Obviously in terms of doing the deal for Tonali one would presume that there were some conversations on whether Newcastle wanted to move forwards [for Hernandez] and the downside, in some ways, is that once money comes into Milan there is always that opportunity to potentially play harder ball.

“So I don’t think this one is a given at this stage, but the Newcastle interest is very real. I think that fee-wise it would take at least £40/£45 million, maybe even a little more than that. So this one may take a little more time, I’m not aware of any agreement being close at this stage.”

Hernandez and Gordon on the left wing would be mind-blowing

Arsenal also have Theo Hernandez in their sights as a replacement for Kieran Tierney who has long been linked with a move for Newcastle, but it now looks like the Magpies may move to sign Hernandez over Tierney.

I’d be happy with either option to be honest. Theo Hernandez is the better option, his pace is unbelievable and him behind super-fast Anthony Gordon could make Newcastle’s left wing terrifying.

I still think Tierney isn’t a bad back-up option if the Hernandez deal can’t be done, he’s a proven entity in the Premier League and is a superb crosser of the ball.