Newcastle United have renewed their interest in AC Milan defender Diego Laxalt despite failing to sign the Uruguayan in the winter transfer window.
According to Nicolo Schira of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian club are looking to sell Laxalt who has garnered interest from three potential suitors in Torino, Atlanta and Newcastle United.
Milan have slapped a price tag of €12m on the 26-year-old who is under contract at San Siro until 2024.
In uscita dal #Milan c’è sempre Diego #Laxalt: in Italia piace a #Torino e #Atalanta, mentre all’estero occhio al ritorno di fiamma del #Newcastle, che ci aveva già provato a gennaio. Valutazione 12 milioni. #calciomercato
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June 15, 2019
The Uruguayan International has expressed his desire to continue with Milan next season but is likely to be shipped off after a personnel change in the club’s hierarchy which identifies him as someone who did not deliver the desired results last season.
Is he a wise choice?
The Uruguayan wing-back made the move from Genoa to San Siro last summer for a transfer fee of €17m and enjoyed a subpar first season with the Rossoneri making 29 appearances across all competitions.
Laxalt is a versatile player who usually features as a left-back and can easily switch between the left wing, fullback or a midfield role in case his manager asks of him.
The 26-year-old is a skilful player and with his pace and dynamic nature, he poses a consistent threat to the opposition in the final third of the pitch.
He would be a good fit among the teams that allows its fullback full freedom to maraud upfield regularly and enjoy playing quick high-pressing counter-attacking football, much like his national team Uruguay.
Atalanta and Torino feel like a safer bet over the Magpies when we take into account their style of play. Laxalt offers a great deal going forward but often falls short in the defensive phase of the game.
He averaged 1.7 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 0.8 clearances and a poor 0.1 blocks won per game across all competitions last term. His 5ft 8in also makes him a liability in the air where he managed a mere 0.5 aerial duels won per 90 minutes.
The 26-year-old is currently on national team duty with Uruguay featuring in the Copa America in Brazil. He enjoyed a decent first game individually where his side ran rampant, defeating Ecuador 4-0 in their opening game of the competition.
The Magpies are themselves amidst a potential transitional phase at St. James’ Park with the talks of the club’s takeover from Mike Ashley gathering pace.
Addition of Laxalt to the Magpies dressing room seems like an unconvincing move, seeing a lot will unfold in the coming days.
With the conclusion of Copa America and Newcastle’s owner status, which could also see a managerial change at the club, a better decision could be made which would benefit all the involved parties in the long term.
Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt, Whoscored