The left-back department has been an issue for Newcastle United this season.
Indeed, while it has been promising to see young Lewis Hall improve of late, coaching staff at Newcastle are believed to know there is still a long way to go in terms of his development.
Dan Burn, meanwhile, might have found form again and is highly rated by Eddie Howe but hasn’t exactly enjoyed the best of seasons at times.
Matt Targett, meanwhile, could be sold.
As such, Newcastle are again being linked with a move for Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy.
The Frenchman was touted as a target last summer too and has recently been hailed (via Fabrizio Romano) as the “best in the world in his position” by Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The idea of signing a Champions League winner in Mendy is certainly exciting but it seems the player himself has other ideas…
Why Ferland Mendy won’t be joining Newcastle this summer
According to respected French outlet L’Equipe, a host of Premier League clubs are all keen on the 28-year-old.
Arsenal and Liverpool are said to have already made contact, while both Manchester clubs are also interested.
Newcastle are reportedly eager to discuss money with both Madrid and Mendy but the player himself is not keen to move to St James’ Park as they will almost certainly miss out on Champions League qualification.
Newcastle could struggle to sign top players this summer
While the PIF era has so far seen Newcastle target players in their early twenties looking to establish themselves on the grandest stage, the fact they will not be in the Champions League next season does complicate matters.
Bruno Guimaraes reportedly has a clause that allows him to talk to clubs in that competition, while it’s unclear if players of his calibre would be keen to move to Newcastle without the guarantee of truly elite football.
Clearly, that doesn’t mean Newcastle won’t be able to sign good players this summer but the elite, among which Ancelotti believes Mendy belongs, may prove elusive.
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