After reports early on Friday that Newcastle United had reached an agreement with Inter regarding the loan with a view to buy for Valentino Lazaro, we are now given a reason why the move is finally happening.
There was a brief period of around 48 hours where it seemed the player could end up snubbing Steve Bruce and co. in favour of RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga (who are still in the Champions League), but a late push by the Magpies seemed to convince the Austria international to move to the north of England instead.
While many think he could be in it for the money, that isn’t the case, according to Max Hagmayr, his agent.
Speaking to Sky Sport Austria, relayed by FC Inter News, he said: “The decision wasn’t easy and it wasn’t anything against RB Leipzig. It was to play in the Premier League”.
The deal, believed to total around €25m (if Newcastle decide to trigger the option to buy), will see the player bring much needed help to an injury decimated squad, as the 24-year-old is capable of playing either as a wing-back or further up the pitch.
Bought by Inter in the summer, Lazaro only managed six Serie A appearances during the first half of the season under Antonio Conte and picked up one assist.
