Newcastle want ‘complete’ Portuguese defender but there’s a problem – Romano

Add as preferred source on Google

Fans of Newcastle United feel that the Magpies still need to bring in a new centre-back to be sure of competing across four competitions this season and have young Antonio Silva in their sights.

Financial Fair Play restrictions have hampered Newcastle‘s transfer plans since the PIF took over from Mike Ashley but they’ve still managed to recruit very well.

Without the input of the mega millions from the Saudi Arabian backers Newcastle wouldn’t be anywhere near the Champions League, but going into this campaign there’s a feeling around the club that we lack decent back-up for 31-year-old Fabian Schar as well as an overall lack of pace in the back line.

Antonio Silva would be a perfect signing for Newcastle

Young Benfica defender Antonio Silva is a player who could come straight in as cover at Newcastle but still with enough to learn from Schar and even Botman. Described as a ‘complete‘ defender, The Magpies ‘love’ Silva according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Romano told GiveMeSport: “I think it’s almost impossible to make it happen because of the Financial Fair Play situation.

“Edmond Tapsoba and Antonio Silva are two centre-backs that they love. But at the moment they are way too expensive for Newcastle because with the Financial Fair Play situation, it’s complicated.

“So they would need to sell a player of the same value, and it means someone around €55-€60m, so it’s more than complicated.”

FFP may not be as much of an issue for Newcastle next year

Benfica are digging their heels in with Silva and aren’t willing to sell this summer unless his £77million release clause is met according to Football Transfers which would be a huge swing for Newcastle at the moment.

Next season FFP may not be as big of an issue as the news leaked yesterday that the club has signed a massive deal with kit supplier Adidas which could open up the FFP coffers massively.

In the meantime, Eddie Howe said last week he wanted one more player in this summer which turns out to be Lewis Hall from Chelsea, so it’s unlikely that we’d make any kind of move for Tapsoba or Silva before 1st September.