Both Newcastle United and Southampton are both interested in bringing Alfonso Pedraza to the Premier League.
Alfonso Pedraza
Pedraza is on loan with Alaves from La Liga rivals Villarreal, but both the Saints and the Magpies are keen on handing the youngster a return to English football nearly a year after he spent half a season on loan with Leeds United in the Championship.
It has been a difficult season for Alaves thus far, with the side losing 11 of their opening 15 matches to find themselves inside the relegation zone in the Spanish top flight – but they have enjoyed a slight upturn in form lately, winning their last two.
And it was Pedraza who played a starring role in their latest victory as they beat fellow strugglers Las Palmas 2-0 to move above their opponents in the table.
It was the left winger’s vicious shot that led to the opening goal as the goalkeeper could only parry the ball into Ibai Gomez’s path, and he proceeded to break the deadlock halfway through the first-half with a simple tap-in.
And it was the 21-year-old’s cross that led to Alaves’ second as it found Munir El Haddadi who doubled the lead from close range to give the home side a hugely important win.
While it remains to be seen what Villarreal may want for Pedraza before they let him go, it would certainly be no surprise if Newcastle and Southampton look to follow up their interest by making a concrete bid in one of the coming windows as, while he is still some way off being the finished article, he would bring some versatility to their respective squads given his ability to play anywhere down the left flank, and should only get better as he gains experience.
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