Newcastle United have reportedly missed out on the chance to sign Caglar Soyuncu on a free transfer.
That is according to 90min, who state that both Newcastle and Liverpool showed an interest in Soyuncu, whose Leicester contract is set to expire this summer.
However, the report states that talks failed to advance and that the centre-back will now be joining Atletico Madrid. 90min believe that Soyuncu has agreed personal terms with the La Liga side ahead of a move at the end of the season.
That will be a disappointment for the Magpies, who are set to be in the market for a central defender this summer. It has bee reported that Jamaal Lascelles could leave, which will lead to Newcastle eyeing a replacement.
Soyuncu could have been targeted for that role, but that will not be happening. Instead, he is off the Madrid.
Newcastle miss out on Caglar Soyuncu
it is interesting to read 90min’s claim that Newcastle made a move to sign Soyuncu on a free.
From a financial perspective, a deal for the 26-year-old would have made sense. However, his stock has dramatically dropped since he first arrived in English football.
The Turkey international was excellent during his debut season in a Leicester shirt, with Alan Shearer calling him ‘solid and reliable‘ back in November 2019.
But nowadays he can’t even get in the team. He has made just four appearances in all competitions this season, and has spent most of the campaign on the bench.
So if he isn’t good enough for a struggling Leicester side, why would he be good enough for a flying Newcastle? Soyuncu might have added depth, but he would not have been a signing that would have excited the Toon Army.
Instead, he is off to Spain to play for Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Whether he proves to be one that got away for Newcastle remains to be seen, but whoever Eddie Howe signs will have eyes on eventually taking Fabian Schar’s place in the Toon starting XI.