Newcastle United are believed to be maintaining tabs on Espanyol defender Adria Pedrosa, though they might face competitors from one other Premier League membership.
What’s the phrase?
That’s in line with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, with each the Magpies and Brighton and Hove Albion mentioned to have an interest within the 24-year-old, who has only a yr remaining on his present deal in Catalonia.
The report means that the Spaniard – who is ready to price within the area of €8m (£7m) if he’s to depart this summer time – may probably be an possibility for the Seagulls as they give the impression of being to interchange Chelsea-bound defender Marc Cucurella.
The Tynesiders can be hoping that they will win that battle to complement their different summer time defensive recruits, having already introduced in fellow left-back Matt Targett, together with goalkeeper Nick Pope and towering central defender Sven Botman.
Think about him and Botman
Beforehand dubbed a “expertise” by journalist Andy West, Pedrosa has shone for his present membership in recent times, notably serving to the Barcelona-based aspect to promotion from the second tier through the 2020/21 marketing campaign after bagging a aim and 5 assists in 32 league video games.
Final time period noticed the £8.1m-rated ace proceed to impress following the step as much as the highest stage, offering one aim and one help in 31 league video games, most notably chipping in with 2.8 clearances and 1.9 tackles per match as an instance his defensive prowess.
The £16k-per-week menace additionally compares favourably to these in his place throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues, rating within the high 9% for clearances made and within the high 12% for dribbles accomplished, showcasing his willingness to get ahead from his left-sided berth.
Additionally comfy in a extra superior function on the left flank, the 5 foot 8 ace has confirmed to be a massively dependable determine for Espanyol over the previous couple of seasons, with the 24-year-old offering 20 aim contributions in 113 senior video games for the membership so far.
His potential arrival may additionally see the formation of a formidable defensive pairing alongside the aforementioned Botman, with the 6 foot 4 Dutchman more likely to line up in a left-sided centre-back function this season underneath Eddie Howe.
The highly-coveted 22-year-old was an enormous coup for Newcastle this summer time, having caught the attention with stable shows for Lille final season, averaging 4.5 clearances, one deal with and one interception per recreation from his 25 Ligue 1 outings whereas additionally successful 66% of his whole duels.
An imposing, colossal determine on the again, the previous Ajax brute can also be comfy with the ball at his ft, having averaged an 88% cross accuracy price final time period – a document far superior to the likes of Dan Burn (80%), Fabian Schar (70%) and Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles (75%).
With Botman’s class in possession paired with Pedrosa’s dribbling capability and willingness to assault, Howe may have the makings of a cultured partnership on the left-hand aspect of his defence this season, ought to a deal be struck for the Espanyol gem.
