According to latest reports, Newcastle United are looking to sign former Porto defender Diego Reyes. The player is a free agent as his contract ran out with the Portuguese giants last month. The 25-year-old is being looked as a backup option as the Magpies can let Chancel Mbemba go in the summer. It is highly unlikely that Reyes will be used as a first choice centre-back given the fact that Florian Lejeune and Jamaal Lascelles have formed a strong partnership at the back.
Last season, the Mexican defender made 24 appearances for Porto in all competitions as he had to fight for regular game time. In almost five years that he has spent at Porto, he has had loan spells at Espanyol and Real Sociedad. Reyes has 53 caps for Mexico and there are quite a few clubs who are after him as he is a free agent now.
West Ham United have also shown an interest in him as Manuel Pellegrini tries to solve his side’s defensive issues. However, Turkish giants Fenerbahce have gone one step ahead and have made an offer to him, though, it is still not clear whether the Mexican defender will join them.
The Mexican has a decent amount of experience of playing in various leagues but Premier League could be his sternest test. Reyes was also part of the Mexican squad at the World Cup which managed to reach the Round of 16 and sprung up a surprise by beating defending champions Germany in the group stages.
The Toon had built their team on the back of some strong and disciplined defensive performances as they managed a top half finish against all odds last season. However, a move for Reyes will leave some fans miffed as the Magpies are yet to splash some cash in the transfer market and are not yet showing ambition to continue their rise. This can also mean that Rafael Benitez can part ways with them as he has repeatedly demanded transfer funds from the owners.
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A defender who failed to establish himself in the Portuguese league will find it tough to get going in the Premier League given its physicality and fast-moving tempo. The signing, from the Magpies’ point of view, will be a low-risk one as he is a free agent. However, to sign him, the Tyneside outfit will have to move in quick as quite a few clubs are after the 25-year-old centre back.
