Dalian Yifang interested in Fernandez – should Newcastle let him leave?

Dalian Yifang are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Newcastle centre-back Federico Fernandez.  

According to The Shields Gazette, Yifang manager Rafa Benitez is keen on a reunion with the defender as he looks to bolster his squad with a player from his former club.

The report claims that a number of unnamed Spanish clubs are also eyeing Fernandez, with his contract up at the end of the campaign.

READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT 

Should Newcastle let Fernandez leave?

Yes. Newcastle have plenty of depth in the centre-back position and can afford to move Fernandez on either in January or on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires.

If they are able to get a transfer fee for Fernandez from Yifang, it would be a good deal all-round. Yifang would be a getting a reliable defender and Newcastle would add more funds to a potential transfer budget in the next transfer window.

With Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Fabian Schar, Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark all also at the club, Steve Bruce has plenty of options at the back. Fernandez has not been able to break back into the starting XI and, therefore, is a dispensible member of the squad at present.