Diego Laxalt is all set to leave AC Milan this summer amidst interest from Newcastle United, it has been reported.
The Magpies are keen on signing a left-back, and are pursuing Laxalt, it has been claimed by CalcioMercato.
The report also states that the Italian giants want €15 million to let Laxalt leave, a player they signed from Genoa only last summer.
Newcastle will have to compete with the likes of Atalanta, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Torino, who are also reportedly monitoring the Uruguayan international.
Newcastle United are in tatters at the moment following the departure of Rafael Benitez, and are yet to sign anyone this summer.
There are plenty of areas that need addressing, and with the new season less than a month away, the Magpies need to get a move on.
What will Diego Laxalt add to Newcastle United?
Laxalt is a versatile player, and his incredible work ethic means he can play as a left-back or a left wing-back.
Prior to his switch to AC Milan last summer, he was a key player for Genoa as he was a key attacking outlet on the left, but also added the stability at the back.
His spell at AC Milan was a bit underwhelming, though, as Gennaro Gattuso kept him on the fringes of the first team.
Laxalt is an astute crosser of the ball, and can put in a good delivery from the left. His pace would also be useful on the counter-attacking situations as he is a pretty agile player on the left.
His work ethic that we mentioned earlier makes him a valuable player in both attack-to-defence and defence-to-attack transitions, and he isn’t one to shy away from his duties, having become a key player under Oscar Tabarez, a strict disciplinarian who is the head coach of the Uruguayan national team.
The 26-year-old is a tough tackler and his potential arrival could push Paul Dummett.
Technically, he is pretty sound, and his ability to maraud forward could make him a good option at left-back for Newcastle United, should the Magpies match Milan’s asking price.
It remains to be seen if they can thwart competition and sign Laxalt though, as time is running out and Newcastle still don’t have a manager, let alone a plan for the transfer window.
