Fernandes would be an upgrade on Yedlin after disappointing 2018/19 season

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Newcastle are weighing up a move for CSKA Moscow defender Mario Fernandes this summer, according to the Daily Star.

They report that the Magpies are keen to bolster their full back options and have turned their attention to the Russian international, who came within a penalty shootout of making it to the World Cup semi-finals last year.

The reported fee for Fernandes is a whopping £26.5m, which for a 28-year-old would represent a major change in transfer approach from Mike Ashley.

But it’s clear that DeAndre Yedlin’s form in 2018/19 has not impressed Rafa Benitez, if he is apparently willing to battle with the likes of Atletico Madrid for a right back upgrade of such calibre.

Yedlin has never appeared defensively switched on enough for the demands of Rafa Benitez and it is only the Spaniard’s supreme organisation that has made Newcastle so resolute.

But at some stage, Benitez was always going to look to upgrade his full back options and the summer seems the right time, given Matt Ritchie filled in on the other side for much of last season.

So Yedlin – who earns £30,000 a week at St James’ Park according to Spotrac – should perhaps be looking over his shoulder at the interest in other players in his role – forcing him to either improve his performance or ship out of the north east.