JUVENTUS and Napoli are set to go head-to-head for the signature of Daryl Janmaat after Newcastle United paved the way for the Dutchman’s exit by agreeing a deal for Spanish full-back Jesus Gamez.
Gamez is expected to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms at Newcastle’s training ground later today after the Magpies agreed a fee of around £1m with La Liga side Atletico Madrid.
The 31-year-old can play in both full-back positions but is primarily regarded as a right-back, and his arrival has increased the likelihood of Janmaat moving on before the transfer window closes at the end of next month.
The Holland international was one of the first players to hint at a desire to leave Newcastle in the wake of last season’s relegation, and both Juventus and Napoli have expressed an interest in taking him to Serie A.
Both Italian clubs attempted to sign Janmaat in the summer of 2014, but were unable to complete a deal with Feyenoord before the defender left Holland to compete in the World Cup finals in Brazil.
That opened the door for Newcastle to make an approach of their own, and the Magpies were able to complete a £6m deal later that summer.
Janmaat has made 75 senior appearances on Tyneside, and was regarded as one of his club’s more impressive performers last season.
He will command a significant fee if he moves on this summer, and Newcastle officials are likely to demand around £8m before they will be willing to agree to his departure.
However, there is also an acceptance that it will be difficult to keep Janmaat, an established Holland international, in the Championship, and it is anticipated that a deal will be concluded in the next few weeks.
Whether that involves Juventus or Napoli remains to be seen, with both sides keen to enhance their defensive options with Janmaat’s capture. Inter Milan have also been credited with an interest, but it is understood their Italian rivals are currently ahead of them in the queue.
Gamez’s arrival should be confirmed within the next 24 hours, with the Spaniard having agreed to join Newcastle after a frustrating two years with Atletico Madrid.
Having joined Atletico from Malaga in a £4m move in 2014, Gamez only made 14 appearances for Diego Simeone’s team last season.
He has been linked with potential moves to Everton and West Ham in the last week, but Benitez’s Spanish links appear to have been a key factor in his decision to move to Tyneside.
Born close to Malaga, Gamez made more than 250 senior appearances for his hometown team, captaining them as they qualified for the Champions League.
He represented Spain’s Under-23 team at the 2005 Mediterranean Games, and will become Newcastle’s fourth summer signing, following the arrival of Matz Sels, Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie.
Gayle’s arrival has increased the competition in the Magpies’ attacking ranks, and made it less likely that Adam Armstrong will spend the whole of the season on Tyneside.
Armstrong was yesterday omitted from the England Under-19 squad for the forthcoming European Championships because he is nursing a thigh injury, and Benitez admits he is unsure what to do with the 19-year-old over the course of the next ten months.
Armstrong spent last season on loan at Coventry City, and while Benitez is aware of his considerable potential, he is also mindful of the possible risks involved in exposing the youngster to regular Championship football.
“He’s running, coming back from his injury,” said the Newcastle boss. “Obviously, I know he had a great, great season (at Coventry). I was talking with him afterwards. Now we have to wait, and see how he is in pre-season.
“It’s always difficult with the competition, especially when you are a young player. The main thing is to give him the opportunity to show his level. If we think the best thing is to send him away to keep developing, then we will do that.
“With him, we have a problem. It's a good problem, though. We don’t have too much time to see how he is because he is still only running at the moment.”
While Armstrong has been omitted from the England Under-19 squad, Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry have been included in Aidy Boothroyd’s line-up.
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