Newcastle on verge of securing deal for Eibar centre-back Florian Lejeune

Championship winners Newcastle United are on the verge of signing Eibar centre-back Florian Lejeune for £8.7 million, according to The Sunday Mirror.

The 26-year-old played a key role in helping the Spanish outfit finish tenth in La Liga, starting 33 of their 38 league matches, and netting once and laying on one assist in a whole host of impressive displays at the heart of their backline.

The former France Under-20 international signed for Premier League giants Manchester City back in 2015, although was immediately loaned to Girona, and then sold to Eibar a year later, ultimately failing to ever appear for the Citizens during his 12-month stay in the North West.

Yet Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is reportedly on the verge of bringing him back to England in an £8.7 million deal, as the Magpies look to bolster their ranks ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Benitez’s men secured promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking by winning 29 of their 46 league games, finishing nine points clear of third place Reading, and pipping Chris Hughton’s Brighton to the title on the final day.

And it appears that Lejeune is close to following Christian Atsu as the second signing of the summer for the North East giants, with Benitez looking to reinforce several aspects of his squad in a bid to be competitive in the top-flight next term.