Achraf Lazaar has not started a single Championship game for Newcastle United – so it’s no surprise he could be hoping to leave this summer.
Most Newcastle United fans were excited at the prospect of Achraf Lazaar arriving on Tyneside last summer.
The Moroccan had stood out for Serie A outfit Palermo and appeared to be a dynamic, forward-thinking upgrade on the steady if not spectacular Paul Dummett. Yet, after just one forgettable season on Tyneside, Lazaar could be set to leave in the summer, The Chronicle reports.
The 25-year-old has only featured in 37 minutes across four substitute appearances in the Championship this season with his five starts all coming in cup competitions. He has not played since January’s 3-0 defeat at Oxford United in the FA Cup fourth round.
And The Chronicle reports that Lazaar could seek a move away from the club in the summer, either on loan or permanently, as he does not want to spend successive seasons out of the first-team picture
Ambitious replacement
However, it remains to be seen whether Lazaar’s exit will encourage the recently promoted Magpies to make an ambitious approach for Luke Shaw.
The Daily Star reported last month that the Manchester United left-back, who had fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and was subject to very public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho, was interesting Rafael Benitez.
However, the £15 million-rated England international appears to have worked his way back into the Portuguese’s plans in recent weeks, starting in wins against Sunderland and Anderlecht.
Therefore, Benitez may be forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements this summer.
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