---
title: "Newcastle: Wilfried Kanon can complete Rafa Benitez’s perfect defence"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-wilfried-kanon-can-complete-rafa-benitezs-perfect-defence/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ally Darlow"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2019-05-27T06:45:45Z"
modified: "2019-05-27T06:45:45Z"
---

# Newcastle: Wilfried Kanon can complete Rafa Benitez’s perfect defence

**Newcastle fans, we know what you’re thinking. Of all the areas for Rafa Benitez to be looking to strengthen, centre-back shouldn’t be it. However, the opportunity to sign a gem should never be neglected if it comes up, and as *[The Sun link the Magpies with a move for ADO Den Haag defender Wilfried Kanon](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9086360/transfer-news-live-brooks-griezmann-ramos-fekir-real-madrid-liverpool/)*, Rafa will have to act very fast.**

According to the article, Newcastle are set to go up against Leicester City and Southampton in the pursuit of the defender, and whilst he may look like a fairly average player on paper, the Geordies will have to trust Rafa on this one. At the age of just 25-years-old and with a quality season as one of the Eredivisie’s most impressive defenders behind him, Kanon could step up at St James Park.

Last summer saw Benitez make a move for Switzerland defender Fabian Schar when it looked like a centre-back shouldn’t be the priority, but that *[£3 million swoop](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44957030)* was a stroke of genius. That deal could now be replicated this summer with a move for the £2.25 million-rated Den Haag stopper, *[as valued by Transfermarkt,](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wilfried-kanon/profil/spieler/163663)* and what a fit Kanon would be in the Northeast.

The 34-cap Ivorian would be the perfect man to slot into a back three in the Premier League alongside Jamaal Lascelles and Schar and if Benitez can get it done on the cheap then he simply has to. With Newcastle switching to a back-three in the season just gone having an extra centre-back isn’t the worst idea, and if Rafa gets this done early he can then shift his attention to some of the club’s problem areas.

***Newcastle fans, would you be happy signing Wilfried Kanon? Comment below!***