Ligue 1 star refuses to rule out January move to NUFC – “I don’t want to close the door..”

Just a few days after being linked with a January move to Newcastle, Strasbourg star Kenny Lala has refused to rule out a move away this month.

France Football claimed we had identified the in-form Ligue 1 full-back as a target this month, and the Frenchman’s latest comments suggest he could be open to a move.

Lala, 27, is an attacking right-back (who can also operate as a let-back), having bagged an impressive 3 goals and 6 assists for Strasbourg this season – helping them move up to 7th in the French league.

Here’s what he’s told L’Equipe this week when asked about talk of a potential move to Tyneside:

“I don’t set any limit to my progress and in the same way I have not set a time on when to leave.

“I am not closed to anything and I have an agent who takes care of that. I focus on what happens on the pitch.

“But I don’t want to close the door so I don’t calculate any time.

Excellent right back Kenny Lala, linked with Newcastle and others, on chances of leaving this January: I'm not imposing any limits on my progression, but also not setting any departure dates. I'm not closing any doors. I have an agent who deals with these things for me. #NUFC

— Jeremy Smith (@jeremysmith98) January 7, 2019

Given cover is needed at left-back AND right-back, a deal to sign a player who can operate in both positions would surely appeal to Benitez.

Not only that, Lala’s contract is due to expire in the summer – meaning he could be available at a cut-price fee this month (something that would no doubt appeal to Mike Ashley!).

Here’s him in action:

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