Made contact’: CL opponents are now attempting to sign a loan deal with a ‘great’ Newcastle target.
Newcastle United were linked with Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella earlier in the transfer window, but they now face competition from another side for his signature.
Manchester United have now registered their interest in the left-back, and are keen on a loan deal for the Newcastle target following an injury to Luke Shaw.
Newcastle have signed Lewis Hall from Chelsea instead, and the 18-year-old joined on an initial loan with an obligation to buy. Whilst this means that Eddie Howe is now unlikely to move for Cucurella in this window, a future move cannot be ruled out, but United’s interest may change things.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the 25-year-old is a target for Man United, who have contacted Chelsea over a potential deal.
“Manchester United made contact with Chelsea to ask about conditions of Marc Cucurella deal on potential loan — no bid or concrete talks yet,” he tweeted.
“United looking for LB opportunity but not too expensive — there are three candidates in the list. No decision made yet.”
How does this affect Newcastle?
Whilst Hall looks an excellent prospect, it will be interesting to see how the teenager fares as the likely first-choice as a more natural full-back than Dan Burn.
Even if he does well, by next season Howe may want another attacking left-back option within the squad to compete with him, and Cucurella could therefore remain a target.
If he spends a season on loan at Man United and they choose to keep him, he may then be out of reach for Newcastle. If he fails to impress there, he may become more unappealing to Newcastle, but the cost of a potential move could fall.
Cucurella was described as “fantastic” following an excellent performance against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last season, and despite his difficult season at Stamford Bridge, he would arrive with a lot of top-level experience.
Newcastle have perhaps made the better move in signing Hall over Cucurella this summer, with the Englishman potentially nailing down a starting spot for years to come, but the Spaniard will still be a player to keep an eye on as a future option to compete with him.
