OPINION
Newcastle United are the only team yet to make a signing in the Premier League this summer.
A fact that sums up the mood in the North East quite well, as the Magpies who also have no manager, have failed to make any moves in the transfer window.
The teams around them who are also going to be pushing for a top-half place next season have strengthened, with Newcastle likely to get left behind should they not decide to make any moves.
The ongoing takeover of the Bin Zayed Group is starting to drag, with any potential signings possibly not happening until Mike Ashley leaves the club.
Newcastle can’t afford to wait and must make their moves now, especially after AC Milan have informed one of their reported targets, Diego Laxalt, that he can leave the club this summer, according to Calciomercato.
The Italian outlet claim that the San Siro giants would sell the Uruguayan utility man for £13.7million (15million Euros).
The Magpies must surely make their first move this summer now and secure the signing of the 26-year-old who can play both at left-back and left-wing.
Newcastle were first reported by Italian journalist Nicolo Schira in June to hold an interest in the Uruguayan international, who was supposedly valued at £10.7million at the time.
Now it is up to the senior officials at the Magpies to prove their willingness by paying a bit more on top of that to secure his services.
Laxalt would fit perfectly into a wing-back role, should Newcastle’s new manager decide to stick with Rafael Benitez’ five at the back formation at St James’ Park.
The 26-year-old averaged 1.5 tackles per game, and could also be useful in possession, having averaged 32.8 accurate short passes compared to the 7.7 average he misplaced per 90 minutes in the Serie A. [WhoScored]
Newcastle must surely make a move for the 26-year-old, who is now available after months of tracking the Uruguayan and failing, this is their time to strike.
