Newcastle transfer news: Rafa Benitez stepping up Sam Clucas chase with Hull midfielder keen to return to Premier League football
Toon boss is aiming to bolster his midfield options but Tigers are reluctant to sell until they bring in more players
Sponsored by
RAFA BENITEZ is hopeful of landing Hull midfielder Sam Clucas.
The Newcastle manager is stepping up his work in the transfer market and wants to bolster his squad with Clucas.
Clucas, 26, is keen to leave Hull following relegation to the Championship last season – but his club are reluctant to sell until they bring in more players.
Newcastle could try to tempt Leonid Slutsky to do business with a £4million offer, however.
England boss Gareth Southgate publicly mentioned Clucas as an interesting player last season.
Toon got off to a slow start in the market this season but are beginning to get their act together.
Atletico Madrid right-back Javier Manquillo - formerly of Sunderland - is the latest new arrival in a £4.5m deal.
He joins fellow defensive recruit Florian Lejuene, who was Benitez's first singing of the summer.
Newcastle have also made Christian Atsu's loan deal permanent and splashed out £12m on England Under-21s winger Jacob Murphy.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip in our live blog
