Newcastle eyeing Andrei Rațiu of Rayo Vallecano - Report
Newcastle United are on the hunt for full-backs this summer after the departures of Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett.
Eddie Howe is sorely lacking natural full-backs next season, with just Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall as recognised options. Young Alex Murphy has been handed a few chances here and there and could be in line for more game time this season, but beyond that, options are very limited.
Given Tino Livramento's injury concerns, we'd suggest that a right-back should be the priority, especially given Alex Murphy and Dan Burn can fill in at left back comfortably.
The Magpies have been linked with a right-back by Marca journalist Matteo Moretto, who claims that Andrei Rațiu is a potential target.
Newcastle and Nottingham Forest want Andrei Rațiu
Moretto claims that Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are keen on the Romanian right-back who impressed for Rayo Vallecano last season.
Rațiu made 50 appearances for Rayo during the last campaign, chipping in with a goal and four assists.
Barcelona were at one point linked with the 28-year-old, but it seems that the focus is now on the Premier League clubs.
There's enough here to have us intrigued
While we aren't 100% convinced by the story as yet, we can see the merit in here. He's got plenty of experience, and playing 50 games last season shows he's dependable, which is exactly what we need.
Newcastle are expected to go for more experienced players in the remainder of the window after bringing in four players under 21 so far, so while we wouldn't have entertained a link to a 28-year-old a couple of weeks ago, now we feel it could make sense.
There's no indication of a fee or Rayo's willingness to sell as yet, which could both have a huge impact on how we view the story, but for now, there's enough to grab our interest.
Rumour Rating: 6/10 - He plays a position we need and fits the bill in terms of experience and dependability. Price, availability and how keen Nottingham Forest are on beating us to his signing will all be huge factors in the next steps.
