Newcastle left-back Achraf Lazaar is keen to secure an exit this month with Empoli entering the race for his signature, according to Calciomercato.
The Italian football outlet report that the Morocco international is keen on bringing an end to his career on Tyneside in the coming weeks after being frozen out by Rafa Benitez.
Calciomercato claim that Empoli are now in the hunt to sign the 26-year-old flyer, with developments expected to come in the next few days.
Good move for Newcastle United?
Yes.
Lazaar has been on the fringes long enough to realise that he has not future at the club, with Benitez in no way inclined to bring him back into the first-team fold.
The 26-year-old has had a miserable time of things of late having been banished to train and play with the Under-23s, and an exit this month is the best solution for all parties.
Hopefully Newcastle can secure a decent deal with Empoli or another Serie A side so Lazaar can go on and continue his career elsewhere.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
It looks like Lazaar should seal an exit from Newcastle this month, but whether it will be to Empoli is unknown.
The Serie A side are expected to make an approach in the coming days, and we shall inevitably hear more then.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10