Report: Newcastle join Real Madrid in race for £9m Europa League star

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Newcastle United have reportedly joined the likes of Real Madrid in the race for Jason Denayer.

According to Sky Sports, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has compiled a lengthy wishlist for the January transfer window.

Newcastle boast plenty of financial muscle following their takeover, but remain in a Premier League relegation battle.

The Magpies are in need of bolstering their ranks and central defence is one of several areas that could do with strengthening.

Denayer is believed to be a target for Newcastle ahead of the transfer window opening.

The Lyon centre-back has some Premier League experience, having player for the Magpies’ rivals Sunderland in 2016-17.

Denayer came through the ranks at Manchester City but didn’t get a senior game for the Etihad outfit.

The Belgium international also played for Celtic and Galatasaray before joining Lyon in 2018 for a reported £9million.

Denayer has clocked up 136 competitive appearances for the French outfit, registering eight goals and two assists.

The 26-year-old’s Lyon contract runs out in 2022, so he could hypothetically be available for a cut-price fee.

Spanish outlet Defensa Central reported in October that Real Madrid were eyeing Denayer.

The Belgian is a pacey and agile defender who reads the game superbly.

In addition, Denayer’s passing ability is second to none.

Indeed, the defender broke a record in 2019 – in Lyon’s 6-0 win over Angers, he completed all 114 of his attempted passes.

Since Opta began recording such data in 2006-07, no player had ever completed so many passes without giving the ball away in a single game.

And this season, Denayer has averaged 55.1 passes per game, with a 93.3 percent accuracy (Whoscored).