Newcastle appear determined to add a winger to the squad this month and there has been countless targets linked with a move to the north-east.
After Ademola Lookman and Cody Gakpo, Inter Milan’s Valentino Lazaro is the latest such player to appear on the club’s radar, according to Alfredo Pedulla.
It is an intriguing and somewhat surprising move if it was to come off, as the winger only joined the Serie A outfit in the summer, signing a four-year deal.
However, upon closer examination it is a deal which could suit all the parties involved, as Lazaro has been limited to just four starts under Antonio Conte, and therefore it is in the interest of both the player and his club for him to get more game time.
The Magpies could be the ideal environment, too, as not only would he likely play regularly but he would perhaps get to enjoy the experience of acting as a key player for a Premier League side - a factor that could do wonders for his development considering he is only 23 years of age.
From Newcastle’s perspective, it is a signing worth making, and though the details haven’t been revealed it is more likely that any move will be a temporary one given the length of his contract and the likely fee involved.
Lazaro is now rated at £17.5m by Transfermarkt having moved for a fee of €22m in the summer, but so far there have only been glimpses of the quality he possesses.
Creative threat
Although Lazaro has found his starts limited this season he has still been able to contribute two assists and act as a useful playmaker in possession.
To evidence that he has made 1.5 key passes per league game, a return which would likely improve if he wasn’t drafted in and out of the side so often, and therefore a move to a team where he would play regularly could do him the world of good.
The north-east outfit would really benefit from his addition, too.
Other than Matt Ritchie, who has started just five times this year, Jonjo Shelvey is the only player in Steve Bruce’s squad with an average key pass greater than 1.5 per game, which highlights the requirement for more creative outlets.
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Lazaro’s addition could lead to more chances being created for the likes of Joelinton and Andy Carroll, therefore, which should lead to a much-needed improvement in Newcastle’s goal return, with 21 scored from 22 league games so far.
Another individual his arrival could benefit is Miguel Almiron.
The Paraguay international is currently in a rich vein of form with three goals in three games and has began to show an instinct of knowing the danger areas, exploiting space in the penalty box from a central position to find the target.
As a result, if Lazaro took up his natural position at right-wing while playing at St James’ Park it would allow Almiron to possibly move into the middle and play with a freedom that could unleash his full potential. After all, he made 37 goals contributions in 50 games for previous club Atlanta United from a central area so it is a position he knows well.
In other news, Bruce is also thinking along the right lines when it comes to improving another area in the squad...