Newcastle United and Napoli ‘confirm’ interest in £25m title-winning defender

Newcastle United have once again been credited with an interest in Feyenoord defender David Hancko - but the Magpies will face competition from Serie A champions Napoli.

A versatile centre-back is reportedly on the Magpies list of priorities during the summer transfer window and the Slovakia international fits the bill after enjoying a fine season at the De Kuip Stadium. After joining Feyenoord in a £4million deal from Sparta Prague last summer, Hancko played a significant role in helping Arne Slot’s side claim the Eredivise title ahead of rivals PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.

The defender wasted little time in making an impact following his move to the Rotterdam giants and received praise from his new manager after a fine display in a 4-0 home win against FC Emmen in the first month of the season. Speaking after the game, Slot said of Hancko: “He made a big impression. The most important thing for me was his mentality, the poison and the aggression in duels. He does everything 100%. Very good in the team.”

The 25-year-old continued that form throughout the season, scoring two goals and laid on four assists for his team-mates in 31 league appearances as they landed their first league title since 2017 and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League before suffering a 4-2 aggregate loss against Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

There were reports of Newcastle’s interest in Hancko earlier this month and Italian outlet CalcioMercato have now claimed the Magpies are keen on the defender, but are yet to make a ‘concrete’ move. The report also states Serie A champions Napoli are also considering a move for the former Fiorentina player as they look to replace centre-back Kim Min-Jae, who is closing in on a move to Bayern Munich.