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Report says Loris Benito has arrived in UK and could be first Sheikh Khaled signing at Newcastle United

5 years ago
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Reported on Monday afternoon that Loris Benito has arrived in London and is believed to be en route to sign for Newcastle United.

The interesting/amusing claim from The Sun states ‘the former Benfica star could now become Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s first signing’ at Newcastle United.

The same newspaper of course bringing us the ‘breaking news’ late Sunday that the Skeikh has allegedly agreed to buy Newcastle United from Mike Ashley for £350m.

Subsequent reports in the English media stating that Newcastle United have had talks with Sheikh Khaled and/or his advisers BUT that no deal has so far been ‘concluded’, as was claimed by the club.

However, media in the UAE are overwhelmingly following the line that the deal is indeed…concluded.

As for Loris Benito, he has ran his contract down at Young Boys of Berne.

The 27 year old left-back ended his season on Saturday when Young Boys won their final game of the season 4-0, winning the Swiss league 20 points clear of Basel.

Loris Benito plays on the left and former Newcastle defender Kevin Mbabu plays at right-back, he was also a starter on Saturday, Mbabu having already agreed a move to Wolfsburg this summer with Newcastle reportedly banking £1m due to sell-on clause.

Newcastle United have of course been looking for left-back competition for Paul Dummett for some time and Benito can play there and centre-back, or as a left wing-back.

Benito and his team’s form have helped him make his international debut this season and the 27 year old defender has now made three appearances for Switzerland. The latest of those coming in a 3-3 draw with Denmark, Kevin Mbabu also playing but that was the game Fabian Schar was forced to miss after being knocked unconscious in the previous match.

I’m not sure exactly how sure The Sun are about this one. They appear to be sure Lorito Benito has arrived in the UK but possibly they are assuming it is indeed Newcastle he is coming to. Watford and Burnley have also been linked previously.

As for the suggestion that he will/could be Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s first signing…

It would be amusing/ironic if the sale of the club did go through and with such raised expectations on transfers, his first signing proved to be a free transfer!

The Sun report:

‘Young Boys defender Loris Benito arrives in England ahead of potential Newcastle transfer.

SunSport revealed the 27-year-old was a target for Rafa Benitez after he ran down his contract with the Swiss side.

Newcastle united have appeared to have won the race to sign Young Boys star Loris Benito after he arrived in England ahead of his free transfer this summer.

SunSport understands the defender has flown to London and could be on his way to complete final talks with the Toon after celebrating winning the Swiss Super League.

The 27-year-old, who made 42 appearances for the Berne-based club, was on the verge of tears as he waved goodbye to the club after their 4-0 win over Luzern.

Benito uploaded a picture on his Instagram that showed the left-back arriving in England, with a waving hand emoji alongside a Union Jack flag.

Watford and Burnley had also been monitoring him, but SunSport revealed the Swiss International was on Rafa Benitez’s radar to shore up his defence.

Inter Milan and Bordeaux had also both shown interest in Benito, but the former Benfica star could now become Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s first signing.

SunSport revealed Ashley, 54, has finally agreed to sell Newcastle for £350million to the cousin of Manchester City’s Arab owner Sheikh Mansour.

SunSport understands that contracts have already been signed and submitted to the Premier League between the Toon owner and the Dubai-based billionaire.’

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