Lukáš Horníček’s future at Braga ‘hangs in the balance’ as a move to Newcastle United could ‘soon materialise’.
That’s according to O Jogo, who are one of several Portuguese newspapers to report on the potential move today.
Newcastle move imminent
According to the newspaper, Lukáš Horníček is Newcastle’s number one target as they seek a new starting goalkeeper for next season.
The Magpies have been made aware that they need to pay €30m – the value of his release clause – to get the 24-year-oldfrom Braga this summer.
The goalkeeper has already been sold on the move to St James Park. He also received an offer from Hull City but was left unimpressed by that.
A transfer to the North East is now seen as ‘imminent’, despite him continuing to train as normal with the Portuguese side. They ‘appeared resigned’ to the prospect of his departure.
€30m required
Record and A Bola report similar information. According to the former, Lukáš Horníček is close to a move to Newcastle for €30m. Again, that’s the value of his release clause and Braga are insisting that it is met.
According to Record’s information, Newcastle are willing to meet this figure to finalise the transfer ‘in the near future’. They also confirm that the goalkeeper is training as normal, but an exit is now seen as likely.
A Bola, meanwhile, report that Newcastle has emerged as a potential destination for the Czech international. While his appearance at training is seen as a denial of an imminent agreement, the newspaper has learned that no formal proposal has been made either.
They also say that Braga are refusing to negotiate below the €30m release clause. So, Newcastle will have to pay that outright if they want to get the 24-year-old this summer.
It appears they are now waiting for that bid to arrive, so a deal can be done, and the Magpies can get their new number one.
