Amid speculation that Newcastle United may be closing in on deals for the Premier League duo Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo, there is another out-of-contract defensive talent for Magpies supporters to keep a very close eye on.
HITC reported back in April that Eddie Howe’s side had sent scouts to watch two of the most exciting talents in Argentinian football.
There is interest in Kevin Zenon, the rising midfield star with a £10 million release clause in his contract. Zenon’s Boca Juniors team-mate Nicolas Valentini is another on Newcastle’s radar. Valentini could be available for even less than Zenon too. His contract expires at the end of this calendar year and his agent confirms that talks over an extension are going nowhere fast.
Newcastle United handed Nicolas Valentini boost
“We are not resuming conversations with Boca for the renewal of Valentini,” Maximiliano Rea, Valentini’s representative, explains, via Somos Boca.
In a further boost to Newcastle’s chances, both Rea and Javier Zanetti – the Argentinian legend and vice-president of Inter Milan – all-but ruled out a move to the newly-appointed Serie A champions for the 23-year-old defender.
“There are no talks with either Inter Milan or Lazio,” Rea says.
“Honestly, we are not following Valentini,” adds Zanetti, in conversation with ESPN. “Although we like the raw material that there is in Argentina, something that I always highlight.
“But today, nor ever, was there (is no) talk of Valentini.”
Magpies also pursuing Bournemouth and Fulham stars
A 6ft 2ins, left-footed centre-half; Valentini is one of the potential options to replace the ACL-stricken Sven Botman. The Dutchman is expected to remain out for most if not all of 2024. Lloyd Kelly is another target. And the Bournemouth vice-captain may have the added advantage of boasting a proven track record in the Premier League.
Howe also worked with Kelly on the South Coast, highlighting the former Bristol City starlet’s leadership skills as well as his footballing talents.
“He’s certainly someone who I think could have leadership capabilities as he grows through his career,” Howe said of Kelly back in 2020.
“He is an outstanding player. (Kelly has) got great potential.”
HITC have been told, meanwhile, that Fulham colossus Tosin Adarabioyo has not yet made any decision over his own future, even if it has already been confirmed by Marco Silva that a departure from Craven Cottage is more than likely.
We understand that Newcastle are interested but there is no agreement in place. Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United – who’s new technical director Jason Wilcox knows Tosin from Man City – remain in contention at this stage.
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