Newcastle United carved an immediate return back to the English Premier League after spending a season in the second division. Under the stewardship of Rafael Benitez, the Magpies got promoted in the grandest manner as they clinched the Championship silverware and earned an automatic qualification spot. However, their re-entry hasn’t been anything spectacular so far.
The Toon have lost both of their fixtures this season, which comprised of games against Tottenham and Huddersfield Town and it goes without saying that their loopholes have already started to surface. They haven’t forgotten the catastrophic results they suffered during the 2015-16 season owing to their failure to withstand the animosity of the Premier League and Benitez will attempt to avoid getting lost in the doldrums.
The former Napoli boss still has time to make the necessary additions before the curtains of the summer transfer window fall in order to bolster his squad. As per one of the latest reports, the Magpies have put Genoa’s versatile man Diego Laxalt on their radar. Laxalt first joined the Red and Blues on loan from Inter Milan in 2015 and thoroughly impressed, before putting his pen to the paper for a permanent deal last summer.
What will Laxalt offer Newcastle?
Capable of plying his trade at left-back, centre-back, left hand side of the midfield as well at left wingback, his versatility is his strongest suit and this will definitely help the club. Laxalt is a player of fine calibre, who works hard to cater to the offensive as well as the defensive duties that he is entrusted with.
He has raw pace in his legs and carries the ball effectively from the back. The Uruguay international has been a notable counter-attacking threat for the opposition, and he is particularly flamboyant whilst going forward. Besides, he tracks back in time, marks the opposition’s attackers well and passes the ball really well. His stocks have been seeing an upward trajectory ever since he got regular game time at Genoe.
Having proved his mettle in Serie A, Laxalt would personally be keen to make a move to the Premier League owing to the lucre it has on offer and jumping ship to St. James’ Park could be the next big step of his career.
The 24-year-old has the factor of age by his side and under the tutelage of someone like Benitez, he will have the chance to brush himself further and attain new heights in due course of time.
