Milad Mohammadi Newcastle

Dailymail - Newcastle have been offered Iran defender Milad Mohammadi, 25, from Akhmat Grozny.

Rafa Benitez is desperate to strengthen his squad in a bid to avoid the drop, and securing cover at left back has been one of his priorities for a number of windows now. 

Paul Dummett is the only recognised first-team player in that position, but the Wales international has missed the club's last four matches with a hamstring problem.

In his absence, Newcastle have reverted to three at the back, with Matt Ritchie dropping deeper to operate as a wing-back, while Javier Manquillo can also cover on the left flank, though it is not his natural position. 

Speaking ahead of their victory over Cardiff on Saturday, Benitez explained his current predicament in covering for Dummett, explaining: 'I said before that I try to maximise what we have.

'Obviously Dummett is injured so we have to find a solution in this position, and we’ve been looking for a left-full-back for three years. Hopefully we can find one.'

Benitez was visited by Mike Ashley in his office following the 3-0 win against fellow Premier League strugglers Cardiff on Saturday.


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With any takeover appearing to have fallen through, it is now up to the Sports Direct tycoon to sanction any deals that will allow the squad to be bolstered in the final few days in January. 

Mohammadi is currently part of Iran's squad participating in the Asian Cup. They face Marcelo Lippi's China in the quarter finals on Thursday afternoon.

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