Newcastle United are in talks with Italian side Cosenza over a permanent move for Achraf Lazaar, according to journalist Lee Ryder.
Gianluca Di Marzio reported on Friday that the Serie B side were closing in on a loan-move for the 17-cap Morrocan international, with no mention of an option to buy.
The Chronicle journalist, Ryder, wrote on his personal Twitter account that talks are still ongoing about the prospect of potentially turning it into a permanent move.
The 27-year-old has only ever made 10 senior appearances for the Magpies, failing to play in the Premier League, as the former Palermo man closes in on a move back to Italy.
OPINION
Finally, with only a matter of days left in the transfer window, it appears that Newcastle could start shifting some of their dead-wood. Players such as Lazaar certainly don’t have a future at St James’ Park, and Steve Bruce will be hoping that this potential first exit will be the start of a chain reaction which sees players such as Jack Colback also pack his bags and leave. As for the Moroccan, it never quite worked out, as he failed to impress Rafael Benitez or Bruce, who even loaned him when in charge of Sheffield Wednesday. That means his new manager either believed he wasn’t good enough or just couldn’t hack the fast-paced style of the Premier Leauge. Either way, everyone involved at Newcastle will be crossing their fingers hoping that Lazaar will seal a permanent exit and that many others will follow – especially after the Chronicle reported a need to slash the wage budget, this will certainly help.
