It looks like Everton left-back Brendan Galloway preferred to go on loan to West Brom rather than to Newcastle, so Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is now looking for another left back to come in and challenge Paul Dummett and others for the left-back spot.
And there are reports coming out of Italy that Rafa is after 24 year-old Palermo left back/left winger Achraf Lazaar as the manager looks to complete his squad of 25 players by the end of August.
24 year-old Moroccan International Achraf Lazaar
West Ham have been interested in the player for a while and if that remains true it will be very difficult to persuade the 24 times capped Moroccan International to join Newcastle in the English second division.
The report is in Tuttomercatoweb that Rafa is hoping to beat West Ham to the Casablanca-born solid defender.
West Ham are long term admirers of the player,but maybe West Ham are not that interested in signing the Moroccan and if that’s the case maybe Newcastle can get him to Tyneside, but the manager would have to move very quickly for that to happen.
The timing may be right for Newcastle, since Palermo seem ready this summer to part with the player who joined them in January, 2014 from Varese.
The Italian report is that Newcastle are actively pursuing the 24 year-old, so it could happen and the 5ft 8ins tall left-back would be an excellent addition to the Newcastle squad – a high quality addition.
While he was born in Casablanca, he moved in Italy with his parents back in 2003 and joined the Varese’s youth system at the age of fifteen,
While at Varese he played 46 games with one goal and one assist and he has played 76 games for Palermo with 3 goals and 6 assists.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
Fostino
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:18 PM
Comment #1This sounds like a perfict fit for us
Graeme
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:19 PM
Comment #2A genuine LB has been needed since Santon bailed out. Adding some pace and flair down the left would not be before time!!!
Thump
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:21 PM
Comment #3West Ham have been interested
Can we just assume that at this stage, every player who may or may not be signed for a club has had interest shown in them by West Ham? They’re after everybody and their bloody grandmother, man!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:32 PM
Comment #4Charlie in the leases end tonight
just got in from match
My report
Poor first half until we scored – much better second half but we still play the ball sideways and backwards to much
MoM for Toon Diame – Ssissoko with attitude more than a replacement.
Shelvey also had a good game along with Jesus – i know I have called him but put in a decent shift tonight.
Rest OK but we are still and ponderous going forward.
OH and a word for Darlow – got to start with him Saturday – much more assured than Sels
Not sure of Hanley – looks slow and cumbersome.
Best player on the pitch was their number 7 Hill ran midfield – Me would put a bid in for him tonight – very good player.
Bobbybee
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:36 PM
Comment #5West ham are financially well off, thanks to them being kindly gifted a nice shiny new stadium. Imo they should’ve had to pay the correct amount, with that money being distributed to grassroots football. Lets be honest, Everton desperately need a new stadium to replace that antiquated toilet they currently play in, but they’ll have to pay for theirs. Hardly a level playing field is it?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:37 PM
Comment #6Sorry best player their no 7 PELL – very good player – worth a punt
JamesToon
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:44 PM
Comment #7Anyone else a bit sad about Janmaat leaving, I don’t think he’ll be a big loss in terms of us moving forward, but when he used to try and gee the crowd up and stuff, I do genuinely think he cared, and at least he didn’t go around sulking for a transfer, he actually just got on with it and played when he was asked to unlike someone….
Blackley and Brownlie
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:56 PM
Comment #8Bobby
Where were you sitting? Aarons was stretchered off past me. I was with the wheelchair more or less in line with the penalty spot.
You must’ve watched a different game to me because that first half showing was one of the most embarrassing, lacklustre performances I’ve seen for years. I was livid. Aarons was absolutely useless; it’s no wonder he’s always injured. Their full back had him in his pocket.
Ed says, “Newcastle were the better side tonight and were not really pressed and these games are almost like no-win situation but Newcastle were professional enough to get the win.”
Cheltenham were by far the better team in the first half and caused us loads of problems. I couldn’t see much of the play because it was so far away down our end.
Everyone was poor for me, except for Lascelles, Hanley, Anita and possibly Perez who got better after scoring, although he missed a sitter. Mitro was second best. Not impressed at all.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 24, 2016 at 12:03 AM
Comment #9Jamestoon- I am sad to see Janmaat go. He is a quality RB. Okay so he ain’t the best at defending but he is exciting to watch when he drives forward and trys to make something happen. No player breaks their hand against a wall in anger of losing if thwy didn’t care.
Gonna miss him. Let’s hope Yedlin is as good or better. Would have wanted both fighting it out for a starting spot though.