Newcastle United news: Expert hails Renan Lodi swoop after £35m update – ‘tremendous recruitment’
Alex McLeish has insisted a possible Newcastle swoop for Atletico Madrid star Renan Lodi could turn out to be “tremendous recruitment”.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 24-year-old would bring a “great” level of experience to St James’ Park considering his pedigree.
According to the i (25 May), Newcastle are plotting a move for Brazilian full-back Lodi, with Atletico open to selling for the right price.
The Chronicle (31 May) claim Diego Simeone’s side are demanding as much as £35million for the defender.
Lodi would be the second Atleti full-back to arrive on Tyneside this year, after the January signing of Kieran Tripper.
The 15-time Brazil international is contracted until June 2025.
McLeish suggested players of Lodi’s quality are exactly who mega-rich Newcastle should be targeting.
“On paper, that sounds like tremendous recruitment,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“You’d certainly think that is the way Newcastle should be going about it.
“Atletico, the level they’ve been at these past few years – that is a great experience. And he’s playing for his country, Brazil, as well.
“That sounds like proper recruitment.”
Matt Targett was first choice in the left-back berth in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign after joining on loan from Aston Villa in January 2022.
The former Southampton man has been linked with a move to newly-promoted Fulham.
Lodi made 42 appearances across all competitions for Atleti during the 2021-22 season, scoring four and assisting five.
In other news, pundit backs Newcastle to sign £40m France star after latest update.