Paul Dummett’s place on the left of Newcastle United’s defence would be under threat if they sign Danish international Riza Durmisi from La Liga.
In the eyes of some Newcastle United supporters, Paul Dummett has been unchallenged for far too long on the left hand side of defence. The homegrown defender started 44 of Newcastle’s 46 Championship games last season with the injury-prone Massadio Haidara and the out-of-favour Achraf Lazaar failing to provide any sort of competition.
Yet, that would surely change if The Magpies made a move for Real Betis flyer Riza Durmisi. According to The Northern Echo, former Valencia and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has drawn upon his extensive La Liga knowledge to make contact over the Danish international.
Dummett is hardly the most exciting of full-backs – unlike Durmisi
Durmisi has an £18 million buyout clause in his contract, but it is understood Newcastle have discussed offering £10 million for a player Betis signed for a minimal fee from Brondby just twelve months ago.
His rocketing price-tag is testament to Durmisi’s fine debut season in Andalucía. The set-piece specialist set up four goals in 27 La Liga starts and, at the age of just 23, he appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
And, in many ways, Durmisi is the kind of player Newcastle fans have clamoured for for some time. He may not be the most eye-catching of targets on paper but the left-back, who the Daily Mail claim has been scouted by Liverpool, is a complete antithesis to the divisive Dummett.
Durmisi was one of La Liga’s most inspired signings in 2016/17
While the Welshman’s defensive solidity comes in handy, he has not assisted a single league goal in his entire career. Durmisi, a technically gifted, modern full-back blessed with superb crossing ability, could provide that attacking thrust the fans have been crying out for.
For the first time in years, Dummett’s position would come under threat.
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