Newcastle “in talks” with Valencia for Argentinian Left Back

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Harry Savill (Editor) in Categories, Transfers // 3 Comments

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 15: Lucas Orban #3 of Argentina competes against Ecuador during a friendly match at MetLife Stadium on November 15, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Reports in Spain this morning have claimed Newcastle have been in talks with Valencia for left-back, Lucas Orban.

Reports in Spain suggesting that #nufc have been in talks for left-back Lucas Orbán of Valencia. Nothing confirmed at #nufc end yet.

— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 29, 2016

The 26-year-old is an Argentina international and well known to Newcastle coach Ian Cathro who worked at Valencia as assistant to former manager Nuno.

Orban joined Valencia from Bordeaux for £2.5million in 2014 but started out at River Plate.

Crucially, he can also play at centre-back and has made 12 appearances this season with his last coming in Valencia’s 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Granada earlier this month. Versatility is something that we have struggled with in recent years at the back.

When Dummett was forced off in the 56th minute of our 2-1 win over West Ham United after complaining of tightness in his hamstring, we were left without any other left-defensive alternative. Haidara is still on the sideline and, against Watford, his departure forced a major positional overhaul, with Jack Colback moving to left-back and Henri Saivet coming on to make his debut at the heart of midfield.

We have also been linked with Arsenal and England international left-back, Kieran Gibbs this morning. It is clear that Newcastle need to strengthen in that department and, considering how much we have already spent in this window (the most of any team in Europe), Lucas Orban sounds like a reasonably priced option.

They might face competition though from other Premier League sides who are looking for cover at full back. A few other names have been mentioned in the press, but if Ryder’s claims are to be true, then we must already have stolen a march in the race for his signature.

We asked Spanish football commentator, Eduardo Alvarez, what he thought about the defender on Twitter. Here’s what he said: