"Understand..": Keith Downie names player NUFC "have looked at", Howe will be buzzing - opinion

A big update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi heading into the summer transfer window.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has confirmed that the club are eyeing up a potential deal for the Brazilian defender and has pointed out that PIF already have an existing relationship with the Spanish side.

Downie Tweeted: “Understand Renan Lodi is a player Newcastle have looked at & could potentially form part of their summer plans. 15-times capped Brazilian international left-back. Newcastle have already done business of late with Atletico for fellow full-back Kieran Trippier #NUFC.”

Jacque Talbot replied to this with an update to the story, Tweeting: “Just to add to this report by @SkySports_Keith, price I was told for Renan Lodi is around £42million, but there could be some flexibility around how it’s paid.”

This comes after Brazilian journalist André Hernan recently claimed that the club have been in talks over a swoop for the left-back, with Downie now confirming the interest and Talbot revealing the potential price.

This claim from Downie will surely leave the Toon head coach buzzing as the full-back would be an excellent signing for the club.

He already has a pre-existing relationship with current Magpies defender Kieran Trippier and this could help him to hit the ground running on Tyneside.

The pair played alongside each other in 68 matches for Atletico – totaling over 4,200 minutes of action as part of Diego Simeone’s backline. This suggests that they know each other well and that Trippier will be able to assist Lodi in settling in under Howe.

Whilst playing for the La Liga outfit, they would need to know when and when not to go forward as one would need to stay back to cover