Over the summer, when Achraf Lazaar was desperately trying to find himself a new club (which ended up being Benevento), Genoa’s Diego Laxalt was rumoured to be of interest to Newcastle.
The Uruguayan left midfielder, who can also play on the left of the defence or further up top, was linked with a move away from the Serie A side for a good chunk of the transfer window, but ended up remaining there for the current campaign.
Problem is, and it’s one that’s getting a lot of attention now in the Italian press, is that his current deal with Genoa runs out in the summer, and there’s a fear he could leave on a free.
With Newcastle in desperate need of reinforcements as they currently sit 18th in the Premier League, perhaps now is the ideal time to return for their summer target.
After all, his versatility could be rather useful for Rafa Benitez in what could be a long second half of the season for the Magpies, and he’d be available for a reduced fee.
The 24-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Italian club this season, scoring two goals and picking up an assist.
That’s one more goal than Christian Atsu has managed this season and a whole lot more than what £10m summer signing Jacob Murphy has achieved so far.
It’s worth thinking about.
