Newcastle United and Everton target Hirving Lozano is a rare talent in today’s game according to former Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio, who likens the Napoli benchwarmer to Eden Hazard, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
While no one is claiming that a former PSV Eindhoven talisman is on the same level as three of the finest footballers on planet earth today, there are certainly a few stylistic similarities between Lozano and a Barcelona, a PSG and a Real Madrid superstar.
At his barnstorming best, Lozano is a nightmarish presence for opposition defenders – even if it hasn’t worked out for the Mexico international since his £34 million move to Southern Italy a year ago.
With explosive pace, a thunderbolt shot and his ability to carry the ball as if he’s soaked his boots in superglue, the 24-year-old fired PSV to the Eredivisie title in 2019 with 21 goals and 12 assists.
And while Lozano has struggled against tightly-packed defences in Serie A, Osorio still has no qualms about putting the man who fired Mexico to that famous World Cup victory against Germany in such esteemed company.
“Football needs dribblers like Hazard, Messi, Neymar, Willian and Lozano in Mexico,” Osorio tells ESPN. “And there are not many in football.”
After falling out of favour under Gennaro Gattuso in Naples, France Football claimed that Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti would be free to reunite with a player he brought to Southern Italy a year ago.
Newcastle, meanwhile, see Lozano as a marquee signing should the Mohammed Bin Salman takeover go through. The Magpies have made contact with his agent, the motormouthed Mino Raiola (AreaNapoli).
The same publication claims that West Ham are interested too and will pay £25 million to bring the Mexican to the London Stadium.
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