Why Newcastle hold an advantage over Chelsea and Arsenal for January target

FT Desk

• 4 Nov 2022 11:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Newcastle are the richest club in world football, but they haven't really thrown their weight around in the transfer market quite yet…

The Toon were bought by consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in October 2021, but their transfers activity since has been relatively subdued.

They did spend €136 million on players in the summer, but competition for the services of Alexander Isak and Sven Botman wasn't particularly high, even if the Magpies beat AC Milan to the latter's signature.

READ: 'Offers are coming' for Arsenal and Chelsea target

But that could be about to change, with Alex Grimaldo wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea among others, but set to snub them for Newcastle if he leaves Benfica - as expected - for a cut-price fee in January.

The Spanish left-back is out of contract at the end of the season, and Newcastle have an ace in the hole when it comes to acquiring the 27-year-old.

"The Magpies coach really appreciates the Spaniard, and the fact that [Newcastle manager] Eddie Howe and Grimaldo have the same agent could be a plus for Newcastle." Transfer specialist Rudy Galetti told Tribal Football.

READ: Bruno Guimaraes: Barcelona is David and Newcastle is Goliath

"The player, as already reported, has communicated to his current club that he wants to leave Portugal to start a new experience elsewhere, and certainly, the charm of the Premier League could satisfy him."

How good is Grimaldo?

Grimaldo is a Barcelona academy graduate who left for Benfica in pursuit of first-team football for just €1.5m in December 2015. He seized that chance in Lisbon, and has now racked up 270 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles.

This season, the diminutive left-back has contributed three goals and four assists in all competitions to help Benfica to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and Champions League Group H which also included PSG and Juventus.

Grimaldo is rated at €20m by Football Transfers in-house algorithm despite his contract expiring next summer.