Some Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after Alfredo Pedulla claimed the Toon had moved into pole position to sign Inter Milan’s Valentino Lazaro.
The 23-year-old joined the San Siro natives from Hertha Berlin last summer after two seasons in the German capital, but has struggled to establish himself in Italy under former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
Lazaro has started just three of his six Serie A appearances for the Nerazzurri alongside four substitute outings in the Champions League Group Stage, and is now expected to leave the Italian sleeping giant on loan this month once a deal for Manchester United’s Ashley Young is finalised.
Graz, Austria-born Lazaro is even said to be ‘getting ready to say goodbye to Inter’, as the Nerazzurri hierarchy feel it is better to send the outcast midfielder away on loan having paid €24million (£20.4m) including bonuses to sign him.
West Ham United and Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen have also been credited with interest by reports in Italy, which claimed each side have requested information regarding potential temporary deals.
Pedulla notes that Lazaro’s imminent departure from Inter is not thought to be dependent on a potential swap deal involving Matteo Politano and AS Roma’s Leonardo Spinazzola.
Would you welcome a loan move for Lazaro?
Yes
No
Lazaro has failed to score in any of his 11 appearances across all competitions this season, with nine outings coming on the right-hand side of Conte’s midfield and twice on the left.
The 28-cap international showed a great versatility to his game while with Hertha Berlin last term, having made 17 outings at right-back, 13 at right-mid and four as a right-forward – scoring twice, zero and once respectively.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Pedulla’s claim of the Toon moving into pole position to land Lazaro this month…
Why fo we waste money on midfielders when there is surplus y not strikers
— Javed جاوید (@javvytweets) January 17, 2020
He’s decent but can’t see how he’s a priority unless someone’s leaving at RB/RW
— jl (@jossy_lye) January 17, 2020
Watching highlights of him he’s skilful and has a monster cross
— Shay🗡 (@Saintbazza10) January 17, 2020
The lads agent is offering him to almost every club in the Prem, mainly west ham. Believe it when I see it.
— Jordan (@JG29101) January 17, 2020
Then why don’t they get out there and spend £20m on Bowen If that’s what’s being quoted?? 🤷♂️
— Dan Dares (@geordiecrews) January 17, 2020
Weird, he’s a winger converted into a wingback so you’d think he wouldn’t be a priority
— The Perennial Pundit (@PerennialPundit) January 17, 2020
He’s not that credible, he’s linked us to players before and went no where I wouldn’t think there’s anything in this.
— Mark Douglas (@markattias) January 17, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, it has been claimed that a host of lower-league sides are showing an interest in a 6ft Toon man.