31-year-old Japanese International Yuto Nagatomo is reported by Tuttomercato to be a January target for Newcastle and Rafa Benitez, as the manager tries to get some real competition for Paul Dummett at left-back.
The left-back signed for Inter back in the summer of 2011 after being on loan there since January of that year and his contract runs out in June of 2019.
The 5ft 7ins tall full-back has been offered a new deal buy the Italian powerhouse, but he’s looking around to see what other clubs may want to sign him.
One of the three top priorities for Newcastle in the January transfer market is for a left-back, and it could be that Rafa will try to sign the 91 times capped Japan International at that time.
It’s not usual that Newcastle sign players in their 30s with Mike Ashley as owner, but that’s what Rafa Benitez has done.
The manager is trying to get more experience into the Newcastle side – which is currently the youngest in the Premier League.
31-year-old Japanese International left-back Yuto Nagatomo
Nagatomo joined Inter from FC Tokyo, and he’s played 202 times for the Italian club with 11 goals and 18 assists over the last six years.
Newcastle do have Javier Manquillo and Jesus Gamez who can play at left-back, but it seems Rafa wants to bring in a specialist left-back to the club.
Chancel Mbemba has also been doing a decent job playing out of position at left-back this season.
Newcastle did almost complete a loan deal for Southampton’s 22-year-old Matt Targett on the final day of the summer transfer window, but we backed out of that because of the high loan fee.
Matt would have probably played all the games this season if he had managed to sign for us.
The 22-year-old could still be a loan target come January if funds are short in the January transfer window – for the second year running.
The priorities seem to be for a left-back, striker and number 10 in January for Mr. Benitez, as he tries to strengthen the Newcastle side.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
2 comments so far
Mister Tuff
Oct 10, 2017 at 2:21 PM
Comment #1Pulis on McLean when he went to West Brom ” he’s not the sharpest tool in the box………..”.
lesh
Oct 10, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Comment #2I reckon if Rafa’s gonna push for this lad, he’ll know Ashley’s highly unlikely to approve the spend, whether the fee or his wages and contract. So, let’s hope Ashley’s out of it by January otherwise there’s likely to be disappointment in more than Rafa’s camp.