Sevilla director of football Monchi will only let Diego Carlos join Newcastle for a huge price, according to reports in Spain.
The Magpies are eager to improve their defence by utilising the transfer market this month with Kieran Trippier joining from Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Lille defender Sven Botman was a reported target; however, talks broke down over the French champion’s asking price.
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A new central defender is a huge priority for the Geordies and things have started to look promising in their pursuit of Carlos, who has handed in a transfer request.
Despite having more money than most at their disposal, the Magpies are reportedly finding it hard to attract players while they are in a relegation battle.
But Carlos seems to be one player who is keen on the move to Tyneside with a report yesterday insisting that a move for the Brazilian was ‘edging closer’.
However, Spanish newspaper Marca (via Sport Witness) claims that it ‘doesn’t matter’ to Monchi that Carlos has requested a transfer as the player will only leave Sevilla if they receive an ‘off-market offer’.
Despite Carlos ‘pushing to leave’ Sevilla in January, the La Liga outfit have rejected two offers for the centre-back, one worth €25m and an improved bid of €35m.
Marca go further by saying that his departure would ‘destroy’ Julen Lopetegui’s side with Monchi ‘confident’ Newcastle won’t meet the club’s asking price.
And the report insists that despite ‘alarm bells ringing’ at Sevilla, it is looking unlikely that Carlos will move to St James’ Park as things stand.
Meanwhile, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has urged Newcastle to sign former Chelsea striker Diego Costa after he had his contract terminated at Atletico Mineiro.
“If I was Newcastle I’d take him tomorrow,” Robinson told Football Insider.
“He is a proven goalscorer at the highest level. He has got an edge to him as well. He’s a fighter. That edge could get Newcastle out of trouble.
“Draws are no good for them at the moment. They need to win football matches and Costa is a match-winner. You try to take positives out of the game against Watford but there’s few.
“If you put a character like Diego Costa in that dressing room… Wow. All of a sudden the feeling in that dressing room could change. He’d give them hope.
“I’d take him straight away. The fans would love him up there. He’d be absolutely brilliant.”
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