Loads of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after the Telegraph claimed Javier Manquillo is a January target for three Premier League sides.
The Spaniard is out of contract at St. James’ Park in the summer, and is yet to enter formal negations with Toon chiefs over extending his spell at the club beyond his current £35,000-per-week terms.
West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion are all considering potential moves to sign the right-back in January, knowing that a winter bid would leave the Magpies with a decision to make over cashing in or risking Manquillo walking away for free.
Steve Bruce has begun to favour Manquillo over fellow right-backs DeAndre Yedlin and Emil Krafth in recent weeks, with the Atletico Madrid product starting our last four top-flight fixtures having been omitted from the matchday squad for the previous six.
Manquillo offers Bruce a versatile squad player, too, given the £4.5million-rated 25-year-old can play as a left-back and in a wide midfield capacity, as shown by his 18 outings on the left-hand side of our defence over his total 53 club appearances in all competitions, plus eight at right-mid.
Some Toon fans have noted their opposition to Manquillo leaving when the transfer market opens next month, as they feel the former youth international is currently playing his best football in a Black and White shirt.
What should we do with Manquillo?
Sell him in January
Give him a new contract
Offer 12-month extension
Release him in summer
Over his combined eight outings in the Premier League thus far this season, Manquillo is averaging 1.9 successful tackles from 2.3 attempts per 90 minutes, plus 1.1 interceptions, 2.2 clearances, 1.5 blocks and is winning 1.1 of 1.7 aerial duels, per WhoScored data.
He is also registering 1.1 successful dribbles from 1.9 attempts per 90, along with 0.3 accurate crosses to 2.5 inaccurate deliveries, 0.3 key balls and is losing possession through unsuccessful touches 1.6 times.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to news that West Ham, Brighton and Crystal Palace are considering January moves for Manquillo…
Hands off our Javier
— Kieran NufcMad (@Bryant15594) December 16, 2019
Don’t sell him, our best right back
— LM (@LM_693) December 15, 2019
Doubt we’ll sell him he plays every game
— ToonBarmy2 (@Barmy2Toon) December 15, 2019
Absolutely no changing would sell him, our best right back by some distance
— Waaatson (@paul_taylor1) December 15, 2019
Bit ironic when his recent performances have surely increased his value. #nufc
— Jonathan Grieve (@jonniegrieve) December 15, 2019
Tbh I’d rather lose Yedlin
— Dean Craze (@toonlad9) December 15, 2019
No please, no. He’s one of our best players this season
— Dan (@fdanmcfadyen) December 15, 2019
Cut price? He’s playing his best football at this minute!!
— Davey Beardsley 🧟♂️ (@daveynicnufc) December 15, 2019
Give them Krafth instead
— Scott MacKenzie (@ScottMackenzie0) December 15, 2019
@WestHam i heard emil krafth is an unbelievable right back take him!
— attention (@benufc_) December 15, 2019
In other Newcastle United news, the Toon are being made to wait over a potential January deal as Bruce identifies a £14m target.