Newcastle eyeing Joaquin Oso - Report

Left-back is a position Newcastle United feel needs strengthening this summer, with Lewis Hall desperate for cover.

While talk still persists that Lewis Hall may leave Newcastle this summer, that still feels highly unlikely. Regardless, we feel Newcastle absolutely must sign a left-back.

Alex Murphy doesn't yet have the experience to be relied upon as a backup option, while Dan Burn at left back gives us shivers, and not in a good way.

It's being reported that Newcastle have Sevilla's Joaquin Oso in their sights to fill that very position.

Joaquin Oso is the latest target linked with Newcastle

Joaquin Oso is a versatile 22-year-old who can play left-back or left wing and has even filled in down the right when needed.

Gazzetta dello Sport is now claiming that Fiorentina are tracking Oso but are likely to face competition from Newcastle United.

Oso has a year left on his Sevilla contract, which also contains a €20m (£17m) release clause. However, Fiorentina have started negotiations at just €5m (£4m) so it's unlikely that there'll be a need to reach the release clause.

Sevilla are expected to hold out for at least €10m (£8.5m), which still puts him very much in the affordable column for the Magpies.

Newcastle could exploit its good relationship with Sevilla

Newcastle have just worked out a deal with Sevilla for them to keep Odysseas Vlachodimos for another season when their financial situation looked as though it wouldn't allow it, so there's a chance Ross Wilson could use some of that goodwill he's built up there to get Oso over the line.

It's always worth mentioning, though, that the source is Italian media who absolutely love using Newcastle's name as the boogeyman in transfer stories as if to inject some urgency into proceedings for the Italian clubs involved. "Act now or the Geordies will get ya!"

It's a bit like how Liverpool has become for us, except Liverpool tends to actually follow through.

Oso looks like a good proposition as a backup option down the left. His versatility would make him a very useful addition, too. Hopefully, there's some truth to this one.

Rumour Rating: 6/10 - Joaquin Oso ticks a lot of boxes in terms of the profile Newcastle is looking at this summer. The source is questionable, but let's think positively for once.