Confirmed: Newcastle flyer on verge of shock switch after launching blistering attack on club
Newcastle United defender Achraf Lazaar has confirmed there is a handful of clubs in America seeking his signing after blasting Benevento for his loan spell in Italy.
The Moroccan flyer, who can operate at left back or further up the flank, made just one appearance for the Magpies this season before leaving to the Serie A side on a season long loan, which, despite a bright start, has quickly turned into a nightmare.
The 26-year-old appeared nine times before a knee injury ruled him out until January, where, following the end of the winter transfer market, he found himself exiled from the first team squad and unable to play any league action until the end of the season.
Now he has launched a blistering attack on the Italian side and confirmed that there are a trio of MLS clubs seeking his signing, where he would be able to make a shock move and play before the end of the season as a result of their campaign beginning in March, in a bid to secure a place in Morocco’s World Cup squad.
He told Gazza Mercato: “It’s not easy purely in terms of red tape to go to America, but with my new agent Roberto De Fanti we are seeking the best solution.
“There are three clubs who are interested in MLS. I confirm this possibility (making an imminent move).
“I’ve been pushed out of the Benevento squad. Coming here was a bad decision and I wouldn’t do it again. Right now I need playing time.”
Football Insider verdict
While Lazaar’s loan move to Italy has been a disaster, it shows great maturity that he is not willing to sit on the bench and bide his time. Securing a move to the United States might be difficult but it is by no means an impossibility, and if he can get playing again then a World Cup place could well be in reach. As for his Newcastle future, it is not looking bright but the move Stateside could well help impress manager Rafael Benitez. It might be too soon to say that his career on Tyneside is over but it is certainly reaching a crunch time, and his desire to play might just tip the scales in his favour.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the Magpies must pull off a summer swoop for a diminutive attacker from top flight giants.
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