Javier Manquillo has returned to the first-team in recent weeks and there is a growing interest in him from a number of Premier League clubs, according to the Telegraph.
What’s the word?
Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham are all interested in the right-back following a string of impressive performances since he replaced DeAndre Yedlin in the Magpies’ team for the clash against Manchester City.
Newcastle signed the Spaniard for £4.5m in 2017 and the worry for them is that he is still valued at that amount according to Transfermarkt, and therefore he may not cost too much for other clubs to try and sign.
His current contract expires at the end of the season, too, and therefore the ball is in his court with regard to his future. Considering he has often been a back-up in his time at St. James’ Park he could decide to push for a move.
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Dependable option
It is clear that Steve Bruce prefers a defensive method in the way he organises his team and so far that has paid off with his five-at-the-back system, and that explains why Manquillo has been his preferred option in recent weeks.
The former Atletico Madrid player offers more than Yedlin in a defensive capacity and it was little surprise that his return to the team coincided with a draw against Manchester City followed up by two wins.
Manquillo is dribbled fast fewer times than Yedlin, while he has a better reading of the game, making 0.9 interceptions per outing this term, compared to the American’s 0.7.
As mentioned, he has previously found game time difficult to come by with the USA international often preferred ahead of him during Rafael Benitez’s tenure.
Despite that, he has proved his quality in recent games, assisting with a brilliant cross against Sheffield United. Other than that he has played an effective role in defence, with 1.5 tackles per game this campaign.
Having Manquillo in the squad gives Bruce two useful options to play at right-back, and the competition they provide each other should spur them on to perform better, and that will ultimately benefit Newcastle.
They could end up regret selling him, particularly to a team similarly placed to them in the table, and therefore the club should be considering a new contract for the 25-year-old, rather than letting him go.
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However, with Newcastle targeting the signing of another defender they could be preparing for the Spaniard’s departure, though there is only early interest in the player at this stage.
