Rafa facing competition over young defenders
NEWCASTLE United are reportedly interested in a further two defenders from European sides – Inter Milan’s Jeison Murillo and Clinton Mata of Charleroi in Belgium.
Rafa Benitez is targeting between seven and 12 first-team additions this summer and he is known to want to strengthen his defence at both centre-half and right-back.
Belgian publication DH credits United with an interest in Charleroi right-back Mata, while Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport claims Newcastle are monitoring centre-back Murillo’s future at the San Siro.
The latter has impressed during his two years in Serie A with Inter, and the 25-cap Colombia international was named in the team of the tournament at the 2015 Copa America, as well as receiving the best young player award too.
At 24 years of age he also has plenty of room to develop further, and Benitez would be confident of turning Murillo into an established Premier League defender should he arrive at St James’ Park.
However, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Valencia are also said to be tracking the Colombian defender.
So Newcastle will face stiff competition if they do decide to make a move for the £10million-rated man.
Mata, meanwhile, plays in the Belgian league for Charleroi and can operate as both a right-back and a midfielder.
Belgium-born Mata has been capped six times by Angola and the 24-year-old is reportedly interesting Anderlecht, as well as Newcastle, Nice, Marseille, Ghent, Genk and Feyenoord.