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Turkish giants are interested in signing Newcastle’s rising star

By Durim Halimi

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 30: Javier Manquillo of Newcastle in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Hibernian FC and Newcastle United FC at Easter Road on July 30, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 30: Javier Manquillo of Newcastle in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Hibernian FC and Newcastle United FC at Easter Road on July 30, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United must act quickly to lock down their rising star before he agrees to join Fenerbahce as a free agent this summer.

Newcastle United have been linked with several players over the last few months, but some of the club’s top talents are beginning to attract interest across Europe. We already know about the heavy interest in youngster Matty Longstaff, but who else is on the transfer radar?

According to a new report, the most successful team in Turkey, Fenerbahce, are interested in signing Javier Manquillo this summer when his contract expires. Fenerbahce’s current wing-back, Mauricio Isla, will be leaving the club this summer and Manquillo presents the 2017-18 Super Lig champions with an opportunity to add more quality to their back-line for free.

A few months ago it was reported that Newcastle United were planning to sit down with the Spaniard to negotiate a new deal, but such a meeting has not taken place. FIFA and UEFA announced that expiring contracts will automatically be extended for a short period of time due to COVID-19, which buys the club some more time to convince the former Atletico Madrid man to stay on Tyneside.

Something else to consider, though, is the expected takeover of Newcastle United. Mike Ashley has agreed to sell the club for around £300m, but will the new owners be interested in keeping Manquillo? Here is my take on the situation.

Keep Manquillo

The 25-year-old defender is, hands down, the most improved player at Newcastle United, and he is the most reliable wing-back in the squad. Manquillo struggled with consistency in his first season with the club (2017-18), but his resurgence over the last two seasons has been a joy to watch.

The Spaniard’s defensive awareness is worth praising, as is his ability to intercept passes and quickly bolt down the flank to lead a dangerous counter-attack. Manquillo times his overlapping runs better than any other wing-back on the team, and his vision in the final third has created some meaningful scoring opportunities for those in the penalty area.

Next. Burnley star would be the perfect winger for Newcastle. dark

The fact that Manquillo is yet to receive a new contract is shocking. Letting a quality player like Manquillo leave when he is entering his prime would be a major mistake by Newcastle United. It is unknown when the Premier League season will start up again, but assuming games will be played in June or July, the Magpies still have some time to lock Manquillo down.