Newcastle eyeing surprise move for Atletico Madrid star after talks with player's agent - Report

According to reports on Monday morning, Newcastle United are weighing up a move for Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi.

This comes from Jacque Talbot at FootballTransfers, who claims the Brazilian could yet be preferred to Aston Villa loanee Matt Targett this summer.

The report states that we held talks with the player's representatives in January and remain interested in the 24-year-old.

Interestingly, The Athletic reported last week that it is NOT a forgone conclusion we sign Targett on a permanent deal, stating that Eddie Howe ideally wants an attacking left-back who can get forward while the more experienced Kieran Trippier offer protection down the other flank.

Lodi is younger, more forward thinking, said to be keen on a move to the Premier League and someone we were briefly tipped to sign towards the end of the January window, so it seems there might be some legs in this latest link.

That said, Talbot insists that he would be a much more expensive option, as Atletico value the Brazil international at around £42m. With big money moves for a striker and a centre-back in the pipeline, it'll be interesting to see who arrives at left-back over the coming months.