Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez ‘targets Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez’ in sensational deal
Spanish football writer also reckons the Toon chief will be raiding his home country for a host of stars ahead of 2017-18
NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez is "targeting Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez" in a sensational deal this summer, according to a Spanish football writer.
Journalist Pete Jenson has suggested the Toon boss will be looking to his native Spain heavily this summer as he bolsters his squad for the 2017-18 campaign.
One target is Galacticos forward Vasquez, 26, who would fit in nicely at St James' Park.
Jenson claimed: “I think it’s one of a few [Spaniards] who might turn up at Newcastle.
"There is overbooking at Real Madrid and Rafa Benitez does know the club very well.
“He has that vast experience of European football and having been recently at Real Madrid, I think not just Spanish players but Madrid players.”
“I think winger Lucas Vazquez is another he might look at and that’s one of the advantages of taking Rafa as their manager.”
Benitez, of course, is very familiar with Real Madrid having managed the club between 2015 and 2016 - following spells at Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli.
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Vazquez joined Real's first-team set-up under the Spanish boss and has since gone on to make 58 La Liga appearances, scoring six goals.
The Spaniard has also turned out frequently in European competition, having played ten times in Zinedine Zidane's triumphant Champions League campaign last term, netting once.
Real Madrid youth product Vazquez also spent one season on loan at Espanyol and has earned three full international caps for Spain.
So far this summer, Newcastle boss Benitez has already brought in ex-Norwich winger Jacob Murphy, defender Florian Lejeune and former Liverpool loanee Javier Manquillo, a full-back.
The Magpies have also linked up with midfielder Mikel Merino on loan, as well as the permanent signing of Chelsea winger Christian Atsu.