Newcastle United have switched sights to Sporting Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
The 24-year-old Czech Republic international was the subject of a failed bid by Hull City earlier in the window and Benfica have been making enquiries in the past week.
Hull even matched his £25.9m release clause but Hornicek turned down the move.
‘We even had one [a concrete approach]. The player himself, Hornicek, refused. There was a proposal from England, from the Premier League, but the player felt he shouldn’t go to that club and we were happy for him to stay,’ the Braga president António Salvador confirmed to Portuguese media.
Lucas Hornicek turned down a move to Hull and now Newcastle could get a deal done quickly
Hornicek was back in action in midweek as he starred in Braga’s 1-0 win at Serbian side Zeleznicar Pancevo in their Europa Conference League qualifier.
Newcastle had been pursuing Manchester City’s James Trafford but he is set on moving to Leeds United in a deal worth around £45m as he discusses inserting a release clause into his contract.
They had also held a meeting over Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth but ultimately Newcastle had reservations about his lack of top flight experience. Rushworth remains a target for Coventry City, where he was on loan last season. They have had bids worth £25m rejected so far.
Newcastle have now asked about Hornicek and the deal could be agreed quickly if all parties wish to proceed.
