It has now been reported in Spain that Newcastle United are interested in signing Andrei Ratiu.
Marca claiming that both United and Nottingham Forest are considering making a bid for the right-back.
Andrei Ratiu had his best ever season in club football in 2025 /26 playing alongside former Newcastle United central defender Florian Lejeune.
Minnows Rayo Vallecano finishing 8th in La Liga and losing in the final of the UEFA Conference League to Crystal Palace.
Born in Romania but moving to Spain as a child, Andrei Ratiu came through the ranks at Villarreal but then didn’t make it to the first team.
He had a loan spell at ADO Den Haag before spending a couple of seasons with Huesca in the Spanish second tier.
Then in 2023 he moved to Rayo Vallecano and after a settling in season where he made a dozen La Liga appearances, Andrei Ratiu then became an automatic first choice player these past two seasons. Helping Rayo Vallecano against the odds to finish 8th in La Liga both seasons and get to that UEFA Conference League final.
The right-back turned 28 in June but has ended up as a bit of a late developer at club level and after 50 appearances for Rayo Vallecano last season across all competitions, the right-back has been linked with a number of top Spanish clubs.
Despite limited opportunities at club level earlier in his career, Andrei Ratiu has been a regular for Romania and since 2021 has played 38 times for his country. After helping them qualify for the tournament, Ratiu played all four matches for Romania at the 2024 Euros, they won their group but lost to the Netherlands in the last 16. The full-back got plenty of attention due to dying his hair blue (see image at the top of this piece) and was nicknamed ‘Sonic’ after Sonic The Hedgehog.
Across all competitions, Andrei Rațiu got one goal and four assists from right-back. Across the last two La Liga seasons he has managed an impressive nine direct goal involvements, scoring twice and getting seven assists.
Newcastle United appear to have made their intentions pretty clear in the transfer market this summer when buying three 20-year-olds and an 18-year-old but just maybe somebody like Andrei Ratiu could be the exception to the rule. With both Trippier and Krafth leaving, plus Tino Livramento picking up so many injuries, it will be a major surprise if a right-back isn’t signed this summer. It wouldn’t be a prohibitive transfer for the 6ft right-back and he won’t be on great wages at minnows Rayo Vallecano. Plus while he did turn 28 last month, Andrei Ratiu hasn’t got a lot of top tier first team appearances in his legs so far and seems to be on an upward curve with his ability and club career.
Maybe one to watch.