According to reports in South America, Newcastle are now working on a deal to sign Boca Juniors star Nahitan Nandez – however it’s claimed by that the club are not currently prepared to meet his release clause.

The 22-year old was part of the Uruguay side that made it through to the World Cup quarter finals this summer, being a player that can operate both as a central midfielder and right winger.

He bagged 4 goals and 1 assists in 24 games in the Primera División last season (the Argentinian Premier League) and managed 7 goals and 10 assists from midfield the season before.

Here’s what Argentinian radio station ‘Closs Continental (@ClossAM590) have had to say about our interest in the Uruguayan, suggesting we have ‘asked’ about Nandez but are not keen to pay his release clause:

“They (NUFC) asked how much the Nahitan Nández release clause was. “They pretend, but they do not reach the number”

#NUFC seemingly working on a deal for Nahitan Nández. https://t.co/laezWQMgII — NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) July 27, 2018

A potential replacement for Hayden? Perhaps, but this approach sounds fairly typical of Newcastle United this summer, showing ‘interest’ but seeming as though we are not prepared to pay the going rate to get our man.

His release clause is not clear, with some reports suggesting it’s as little as £7m, whilst others suggest it could be as much as £12m-£19m!

Lee Ryder claims that there’s been no bid from Newcastle ‘at this stage’, but he does not play down our interest..

Rafa Benitez still pushing for full-back cover and a striker but there’s been no bid for midfielder Nahitan Nández at this stage. #nufc — Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) July 27, 2018

One to watch, potentially?