Newcastle face competition for the signing of Diego Carlos after an unnamed Premier League club matched the Magpies’ bid for the Sevilla centre-back.
Newcastle have been in advanced discussions with the Spanish side over a deal for Carlos, after the defender informed Sevilla of his desire to leave and submitted a formal transfer request.
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Eddie Howe’s side are understood to have submitted an offer of around £30m for the Brazilian, but Sky Sports are now reporting that a rival Premier League side has matched the Magpies’ bid.
There is also believed to be interest in Carlos from Italy, but a bid from Serie A is believed to be less than the finances on offer from Newcastle and the unnamed Premier League rival.
Newcastle have alternative targets in mind and will not overspend to secure Carlos’ signing, with the leaked interest from another Premier League side a potential tactic from Sevilla to increase the Magpies’ offer.
Carlos was part of the Sevilla side that won the Europa League in 2019/20 and formed part of Brazil’s gold-medal winning squad at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
Newcastle had targeted Sven Botman as their leading centre-back target, but were unwilling to meet Lille’s valuation of the 21-year-old.
The signing of at least one new centre-back is the club’s priority this month, however, with the Magpies possessing the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League this season.
Benoit Badiashile is another defender the club are interested in but Monaco’s high valuation makes a deal difficult, whilst Fenerbahce’s Attila Szalai – who has previously been linked with Chelsea – could be a more attainable target with reports of a €20m price-tag on the Hungary international.
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