Newcastle close in on Semedo

Newcastle are closing in on a deal to sign Ruben Semedo.

According to a report in The Chronicle a formal offer is expected for the Sporting Lisbon defender this week.

Semedo has a £39m release clause in his contract but that appears to be a standard matter that Sporting put in all deals to keep Spanish giants away from their promising talent.

Rafa Beitez is keen to get a new look central defence in place and has been impressed by Semedo’s old school style of defending and his reading of the game.

The 23-year-old has quickly developed a reputation as a hard man defender with all the qualities to slot in to life in the physically demanding Premier League.

Benitez is believed to be keen to go for English based talent but is convinced that the Sporting man can do the job and offers better value for money than the English market.