Atletico Madrid’s Renan Lodi to meet with Newcastle and discuss a deal

It’s been a month since Jacque Talbot from FootballTransfers first reported the interest of Newcastle United in Atletico Madrid’s full-back Renan Lodi. Knowing how things are going these days when it comes to transfer rumors and players linked to Newcastle, it made sense to us at Coming Home Newcastle to pass on that note opting to give it some time to marinate before jumping the gun. Well, it looks like where there was smoke now there is fire.

Talbot published his report back at the end of April citing “sources” telling FootballTransfers that the Brazil international is on Eddie Howe’s list of potential targets to strengthen the Magpies ahead of next season. Matt Targett is obviously the no. 1 option to be signed once his loan deal expires at the end of May, making his move from Aston Villa permanent, but that’s still not materialized and there could be other options making strong pushes to land on Newcastle’s left defensive flank. Enter Renan Lodi.

The Brazilian would be an extraordinary addition to Newcastle, although it’s been reported that Atletico might be looking for a €50M fee in order to allow the defender to leave the Spanish capital. With Lodi’s contract running until 2025 and he being still young at just 24 years of age, it all seems right and reasonable from Atletico’s position.

More interesting is the fact that fellow Brazilian and reputed journalist André Hernan has actually tweeted about the possibility of a meeting involving the player and Newcastle taking place at some point during the next few days to discuss the terms of his future contract in the event an offer is actually submitted to Atletico.

While a deal could be reached between Newcastle and Renan Lodi in a fairly quick fashion, it would all still depend on Atletico Madrid’s ambitions and request in terms of the fee-to-pay to get the Brazilian full-back services.

Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images

Lodi joined Atletico as recently as 2019 for nearly €23M coming from Athletico Paranaense. The defender has started 13 of his 29 games played in La Liga games with Atletico this season, though he’s also featured in 10 Champions League matches getting four starts. Lodi also played 45 minutes in the Spanish Supercup and started his two games in the Spanish Cup (144 minutes played, though).

After playing nearly 2,400 minutes in his first year in Madrid (2019/20 season) through 32 games (28 starts), Lodi saw his presence reduced a bit in the past two campaigns not reaching 1,200 minutes in any of the last two La Liga seasons. Lodi shared the field with now-Magpie Kieran Trippier before the English lad arrived in Tyneside last January, and the Brazilian might be interested in partnering with his former teammate once more, only now on Newcastle’s defensive line.

Even though not fully into Diego Simeone’s plans and more a rotational piece than a fully-established, game-to-game starter, Lodi’s performances this season have been quite fantastic.

Looking at the numbers registered by StatsBomb (on fbref.com) through the past 365 days of play, Lodi ranked inside the 85th percentile or higher in all goals, assists, shots on target, and goals per shot in that timespan—among fullbacks in the Big 5 leagues and European competitions. Although his passing hasn’t been anything to call home about (29th percentile in passes completed; 23rd in passes attempted; 51st in pass completion percentage), he’s been phenomenal in assisting goals and providing key passes every 90 minutes he’s been on the field.

Lodi’s defensive numbers aren’t remotely bad, with nearly 1.1 dribblers tackled per 90 minutes along with 2.3+ contested dribblers. Lodi’s tackles are best further up the pitch, as he ranks in the 72nd percentile in tackles on the attacking third, in the 86th in the middle third, and in the 36th in the defensive zone. Lodi has also posted good pass/shot block numbers and is an above-average player in terms of pressuring opposition players.

Renan Lodi would be a full-blown wing-back with good defensive chops but a clear offensive profile, making the left flank of Newcastle’s side a real menace if he goes on to pair with winger Allan Saint-Maximin on the left-wing.