Report: Newcastle in the race for 28-year-old Spain international defender about to be free agent

Newcastle United continue to look for cost-effective ways of strengthening the squad this summer.

With moves for free agents Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly who are set to leave Fulham and Bournemouth respectively at the end of this season, the Magpies are clearly working hard to keep their expenditure under control.

Profit and Sustainability Rules are crippling Newcastle's ability to spend the money that everyone knows they have, so Eddie Howe is being smart by looking for talented players who are soon to be out of contract.

Another player the Magpies are looking at according to CaughtOffside, is Atletico Madrid's Mario Hermoso who will leave the club this summer.

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Aston Villa lead the race for Hermoso over some big competition

The 28-year-old, like Lloyd Kelly, can play left-back and centre-back, so it seems like Howe isn't putting all his eggs in one basket in case something doesn't go to plan.

However, the Magpies will face strong competition for the Spain international with Aston Villa reportedly leading the race right now.

The report claims there's confidence that Villa can beat out the competition which also includes Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and Besiktas, which would be a very impressive coup for Unai Emery.

Lloyd Kelly looks set to choose Newcastle

Villa are looking good for a Champions League spot right now which will obviously make them a more enticing prospect for players over Newcastle this year - that hurt to type.

It has been heavily suggested that Lloyd Kelly will choose Newcastle when his contract expires which would likely end Newcastle's interest in Hermoso.

Kelly has worked with Eddie Howe before as the then-Bournemouth boss was the one who brought Kelly to The Cherries.