Newcastle United will be offered the opportunity to sign AC Milan defender Diego Laxalt in the summer transfer window, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that manager Rafael Benitez will be given another chance to sign the 16-cap Uruguayan after failing in a move to sign him back in January.
It is stated that talks to sign the South American full back collapsed at the first hurdle after AC Milan’s asking price was too high. Laxalt has only started six times this season and it could be that price will be lowered come the summer window.
Rafael Benitez is said to be in the market for a new left back after having to use Matt Ritchie in a deeper role this season.
Good move for Newcastle?
Rafael Benitez made it clear that if he was to stay on he would need more investment in his defence. Moves for both Laxalt and Jordan Lukaku failed in January so to bring in one of these in the summer would make sense.
Laxalt has struggled in the Serie A to get competitive action with Ricardo Rodriguez getting the nod ahead of him. Despite this, the Milan defender is a mainstay in the Uruguayan national side and featured in the 2018 World Cup.
There is no secret that Newcastle need reinforcements in the summer and the wide areas are top of that list. Laxalt would be a smart piece of business and should not cost much money with him being down the pecking order at Milan.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
AC Milan look destined to lose their man and both the club and the player will look to get a deal done quite quickly.
Newcastle would be an ideal new home for Laxalt. With Benitez failing in January, the main question would be whether or not the Italian club will lower their price come the window.
If they were to do this then the move should be a no brainer. The Spaniard has made it clear he likes the player and this second chance could show Milan’s view on the matter has changed and offer the Magpies a bargain. If the asking price changes and suits Mike Ashley then the move should happen.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10