Valentino Lazaro has been speaking to their week’s edition of SportBild, and the interview concentrates on him and other Newcastle United players being asked to take a 30% pay-cut due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The German magazine asked why he’d rejected the request, and Lazaro answered: “The clubs approached us without any conditions and demanded 30%. Two days later we were already pilloried by the league. It came out of nowhere, felt like a gun to my chest.”
Then asked if the approach made him feel ‘blackmailed’ over the situation, the player, on loan at Newcastle from Inter Milan, said: “Yes. This is not fair communication. Everyone wants to do something social, but then please for the right purpose.
“We prefer to give our money directly to local shops, facilities and hospitals and do something good. The lack of money for club employees should be borne by the clubs, from our player perspective.”
Then asked if he’s already actively helping, Lazaro replied: “Yes. We Newcastle players provide part of our weekly salaries. Players from other clubs do this too. One should also not forget that the taxes on high professional salaries are important for the English health system.”
Prior to Lazaro signing for Newcastle United in the winter market, his agent had been on something of a European tour, trying to find the best deal for his client.
At one point Newcastle were edged out of the picture, as the first offer wasn’t pleasing enough, and RB Leipzig became an option. However, they weren’t able to please Inter financially, so the deal died.
Asked about the situation, Lazaro said: “It’s no secret that I met Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann and Markus Krösche before I was loaned to Newcastle. I like their philosophy very much, at that time I canceled with a heavy heart. I wanted to play in England once and Newcastle looked very good. Who knows what happens in summer. I still have a four-year contract with Inter.”
