Newcastle United were interested in signing Renan Lodi last summer, and could now turn to the Brazilian left-back once again.
That is according to 90min, who claim that Lodi is on Newcastle‘s list of left-back targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
It is widely reported that the Magpies are looking to sign a left-sided defender ahead of next season to provide more competition for Dan Burn and Matt Targett.
Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney is the leading contender, and is reportedly keen on a move to St James’ Park if he continues to find himself out of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
However, he is not Newcastle’s only option. A report from Italy stated that Inter Milan ace Federico Dimarco could be on Eddie Howe’s radar, and now Lodi is back in the mix.
Newcastle wanted Renan Lodi last summer before Matt Targett deal
The 24-year-old is a player who Newcastle were interested in during the summer of 2022. Matt Targett’s future was up in the air following the end of his loan deal, and it was unclear whether or not he would return permanently.
The alternative was Lodi – a Brazil international from Atletico Madrid who knows Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier very well. He played with Bruno at the start of his career, and has reportedly remained friendly with Trippier since the right-back swapped Madrid for Newcastle.
The Northern Echo reported that Newcastle had a growing interest in Lodi, while the Chronicle suggested that he was keen on a move to Tyneside.
In the end, Howe turned to Targett, and brought him back on a permanent deal worth £15million.
As for Lodi, he did make his way to the Premier League. He is part of Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest side, and is impressing during his loan spell at the City Ground. The defender was recently recalled to the Brazil squad, where he will not play alongside Bruno or Joelinton who were ignored.
Now he is back on the Magpies’ radar ahead of the summer transfer window. Lodi has been described as ‘phenomenal‘ by Tottenham’s Emerson Royal, and is an exciting alternative to the £25million-rated Tierney.