Newcastle United have landed a fresh opening to sign one of their leading January targets, as Calciomercato report Atalanta are now ready to hear transfer offers for Hans Hateboer.
La Dea have warmed to welcoming bids for the full-back at the end of the season to avoid his potential free exit. Hateboer enters the final year of his contract at the Gewiss Stadium in June. But he is more likely to leave Bergamo than extend his terms with the Serie A side.
Hateboer moved to Lombardy in 2017 for his first foray away from his native Netherlands. The 11-cap international went on to prove himself as an integral presence at the club over his first four full seasons. Yet he has struggled to regain his role after an injury this term.
Hateboer fractured his metatarsal in January 2021 and only managed to return to action in late November. He has since started just eight of his 12 Serie A appearances, but has held a consistent role in the Europa League having opened three of La Dea’s four knockout ties.
The Dutchman is still striving to rediscover the levels of form he display prior to the injury, however. The Beerta-native is yet to score or assist so far this season, after hitting two and creating four last term. He created six and scored two in his last full campaign in 2019/20.
Atalanta now ready to hear bids for Hans Hateboer after keen Newcastle interest
Atalanta now welcoming offers to avoid Hateboer leaving in a free transfer next year may delight Newcastle and Eddie Howe. That’s because TuttoMercatoWEB reported in January that the Magpies showed ‘very strong’ interest in landing the full-back in the winter sales.
Hateboer also asked to leave La Dea in the mid-season market, but rejected offers from rival Italian sides. He sought to leave Italy outright and embark on a new chapter of his career. But the Toon acquiring Kieran Trippier saw Howe put the brakes on any pursuit.
But as Trippier’s injury has shown, United should target another right-back in the summer. Emil Krafth is not the solution when Newcastle are without the England international as he proves a weak link in defence. He is also reluctant to attack to any levels near Trippier.
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