Sky Sports pundit Darren Bent has revealed that the allure of life in London could determine Javier Manquillo’s future at Newcastle United.
The Spanish right-back is currently being linked with a move to West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, who know that Toon chiefs will have to consider any offers received in January as Manquillo’s £35,000-per-week contract is set to expire in the summer.
Manquillo has not yet been given any assurances that he will have his spell at St. James’ Park extended beyond the current campaign, despite becoming a key figure for head coach Steve Bruce in recent weeks.
We are not short on options at right-back with £5million summer signing Emil Krafth and DeAndre Yedlin both available for selection, though Bruce is thought to be reluctant on losing Manquillo.
West Ham are ready to test the boss’ resolve with a £5m offer for Manquillo next month, which may tempt Bruce into giving the green light for the Atletico Madrid product leaving should it increase his available winter budget.
Would £5m for 2020-free agent Manquillo be good value?
Yes, take the cash
No, he's worth more
No, give him a new deal
But Bent hopes we do not lose Manquillo during the winter market, even though he feels the allure of life in London could be the deciding factor in if the defender pushes for a move away or not.
“I hope Newcastle can hold onto him as they’re a big club,” Bent told Football Insider.
“When you do well in a team that may be stuttering a little bit, it can be easier to go in and get them. But Newcastle is a great place to live, people think it’s funny when I say that but people have to take into consideration where people live.
“The only difficulty is when a team from London get involved. I’ve played with foreign players who have loved it at Birmingham, Derby and up around the Midlands, but the moment a team from London come in, it’s a completely different kettle of fish.
“It’s the capital and its more so foreigners, as they like the London lifestyle. You hope Newcastle can hold onto him, but sometimes it’s just so tough to hold on to these players.”
Manquillo has started our last four Premier League fixtures, and assisted Allan Saint-Maximin’s first goal in Black and White when we beat Sheffield United 2-0 earlier this month.
The 25-year-old had been omitted from the matchday squad for our previous six top-flight games before returning to the fold at home to Manchester City, while starting two of our first seven fixtures before falling out of Bruce’s favoured 18-man fold.
In other Newcastle United news, fans have been reacting on social media after the Toon were linked with a £25,000-per-week first-team regular.