Javier Manquillo was relegated with Sunderland last season but that has not put Newcastle United off the Atletico Madrid full-back.
For the second summer in succession, Newcastle United are seemingly signing a full-back who spent the previous campaign failing to convince at local rivals Sunderland.
Yet, while DeAndre Yedlin enjoyed a positive debut campaign at St. James’ Park despite struggling for form down the road in Wearside, it appears Newcastle fans are greeting reports that they will sign Javier Manquillo with a great deal of confusion.
Manquillo was second choice behind Billy Jones for much of last season
Manquillo spent last season on loan at Sunderland, making just 19 Premier League appearances as their ten year stay in the top flight was brought to an end. He also struggled during a temporary spell at Liverpool in 2014/15, having his deal cut short midway through the campaign.
Therefore, it is fair to say there are enough reasons for Newcastle to be less than impressed by the identity of their third summer signing.
On the flipside, however, the versatile, two-footed Manquillo could provide some degree of competition for Paul Dummett on the left hand side if needed. Furthermore, at just 23 years of age, he has plenty of potential and the sheer volume of players who have improved since Benitez’s arrival in March last year suggests that Tyneside may be the right place for the one-time Spain Under-21 international to develop.
Yet the fans are clearly divided by this latest transfer link:
Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez
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