Benitez targets Leicester hero for Newcastle – report

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is chasing Leicester skipper Wes Morgan, according to a report.

Benitez is searching for an old head at the back to underpin Newcastle’s return to the the top flight and has identified 33-year-old Morgan as his No.1 target.

The Sun on Sunday claims Benitez is also a fan of Hull centre-back Harry Maguire, 24, whose contract talks are currently on hold until their Premier League future is resolved.

The report claims Bentitez “will  try to talk centre-half Morgan into joining the Toon”. Morgan only signed a three-year deal with the 2015/16 champions last July and he is settled in the Midlands.

Morgan, who has made 40 appearances this season, has been with Leicester for five years after arriving from rivals Nottingham Forest for close to £1million in January 2012.

Having won the title, Morgan, whose contract has two years to run, may be open to a new challenge and Benitez will try and convince the player that he is the man he can build a team around.

If Leicester decide to add more youth to their squad then he may well be made available and a transfer could well suit all parties.