Lee Ryder has confirmed that Newcastle are looking to sign Valentino Lazaro – but believes the club must move players on before the Austrian could arrive.
This comes after reports in Italy claimed last night that we were in ‘pole position’ to sign the 23-year-old, with Steve Bruce also refusing to rule out a move for the wide man – who can play as a right wing-back or as a right winger.
The Chronicle claim he’s a player we ‘scouted extensively’ during his impressive spell in Germany with Hertha Berlin – but insist we could face stiff competition for his signature, with West Ham also keen.
Here’s what Steve Bruce had to say earlier this morning when asked about a rumoured move for Lazaro:
“Well I think I said it last week, it would be wrong to talk about individuals.”
“We have been linked with about 58 players. He’s the latest one. I don’t want to comment on that just yet.”
With Steve Bruce’s 25-man squad full and the likes of Colback and Saivet earning an alleged £30-40k per week just to train, you can see why the club are looking to offload a few this month.
That said, it would be frustrating if this ‘sell before you can sign’ approach scuppers a potential move for Lazaro – especially when West Ham are in need of a new right wing-back following an injury to Ryan Fredericks.
