Palermo defender Achraf Lazaar is set to join Newcastle.
Palermo Achraf Lazaar in action
According to Sky Sports, Palermo defender Achraf Lazaar will complete a medical today ahead of joining Newcastle United, and will watch the club’s clash with Brighton this evening.
The Magpies have been searching for a left back all summer, as Massadio Haidara has suffered a number of injury problems since joining from Nancy in January 2013, whilst Paul Dummett needs competition.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Now, after a busy summer in which Newcastle have splashed the cash on the likes of Matz Sels, DeAndre Yedlin, Grant Hanley, Ciaran Clark, Mohamed Diame, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle, manager Rafael Benitez looks set to finally land a left back.
Sky Sports report that Palermo star Achraf Lazaar is undergoing a medical today ahead of joining Newcastle, and he’ll be in the stands to watch the Magpies take on Brighton and Hove Albion at St. James’ Park this afternoon.
Lazaar, 24, has been a first-team regular for Palermo ever since joining the club from Varese back in 2014, and his performances for the Serie A side appear to have attracted major interest ahead of Wednesday’s transfer deadline.
A Moroccan international with 16 caps for his country, Lazaar has plenty of experience for his age, and can play anywhere down the left flank – but Newcastle will surely be using him at left back.
Lazaar has pace and a powerful left foot, and will provide Benitez with another option at left back as Newcastle attempt to put together a squad that can not only win promotion, but also stay up if they do go up.
With a fee agreed with Palermo and Lazaar already on Tyneside, the deal seems as good as done, though whether it’s Benitez’s last piece of business remains to be seen.
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