Rafael Benitez is looking to beat the Hammers to the Moroccan’s signature, according to reports in Italy.
Newcastle United look set to complete the signing of Tottenham Hotspur full-back DeAndre Yedlin but it appears as though their summer business is not stopping there, with tuttomercatoweb claiming that they are hoping to beat West Ham United to the signing of Achraf Lazaar.
Yedlin is on Tyneside for a medical, as reported by the Chronicle, but as the USA man gets set to sign, Rafael Benitez already looks to be looking ahead to more arrivals.
According to Italian outlet tuttomercatoweb, the Magpies have joined the race for highly-coveted Palermo star Lazaar as they look to complete their squad ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.
Lazaar has long been reported as a target of Premier League side West Ham United, but a deal appears to have moved on very little in recent weeks.
The 24-year-old, who can play either as left-back or on the left side of midfield, is ready to be moved on by the Serie A side, according to Football Italia.
Tuttomercato’s report suggests that Benitez has earmarked the Morocco international as a high-quality addition to his side, and is actively pursuing a deal.
Newcastle already have Paul Dummett, Massadio Haidara, and Rolando Aarons who can play at left-back but with Haidara having missed most of last season through injury and Aarons seen as a future left winger for the club, Benitez is somewhat light on options.
Lazaar would be a quality addition for a club at Championship level, and though West Ham have been linked with his signature for some time, the Magpies will be hoping to nip in and beat the Hammers to his signature.
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