Lazaar has endured nothing short of a nightmare at Newcastle.
Newcastle have made some dismal signings over the years. Jean-Alain Boumsong, Albert Luque and Xisco spring to mind, and Achraf Lazaar has got to be in the same category – but now, he could be about to end his Toon nightmare.
Just 578 minutes of football at Newcastle since his £2.9million move (The Chronicle), Lazaar is now a transfer target for Serie A side Genoa, according to Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
Indeed, it is believed that Genoa are interested in signing a left-back before the end of the transfer window on August 31 and have identified Newcastle’s Morocco international as a target.
The interest comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Lazaar hardly reinvigorated his career when loaned back to Italy last summer, making just nine Serie A appearances for relegated side Benevento.
Paul Dummett’s steady form on the left side of defence has prevented Lazaar from breaking into the Newcastle side and he remains firmly frozen out by Rafa Benitez ahead of the 2018-19 season.
Genoa need to replace the loss of Diego Laxalt who is closing in on a move to AC Milan after impressing at the World Cup for Uruguay, and Lazaar has been identified as that player.
Lazaar does have plenty of Serie A experience, turning out 68 times in Italy’s top tier for Palermo. He has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract – but it remains to be seen if a move will be on loan or a permanent one.
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