One of Newcastle United’s rising stars could be leaving this summer
After his best season with the club, Javier Manquillo seems likely to depart Newcastle United as his contract expires this summer.
Most of the rumors and conversation surrounding Newcastle United this summer have been about players that the prospective new owners are targeting to bring to the club. But, there is also some speculation about players leaving Tyneside. The latest player rumored to be departing had one of the most promising performances this season: Javier Manquillo.
According to Lee Ryder of the Chronicle Live, Manquillo’s agents have reached out to clubs in La Liga about a potential move. The 26-year-old’s contract expires next month and due to the uncertainty regarding the takeover and COVID-19, he has not engaged in extension talks.
Moving on from Atletico Madrid, where he played as a youth and first team player, Manquillo signed with Newcastle United in 2017 after loan spells with Liverpool, Marseille, and Sunderland. The Spaniard has improved in each of his three seasons with the Magpies. Unreliable in 2017-18, he built on a positive 2018-19 campaign to become the club’s most consistent right-back in 2019-20.
He started 11 Premier League matches this season and registered an assist in a win over Sheffield United. During Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in December, Manquillo received high praise for his work in shutting down the dangerous Wilfried Zaha on the right side of Newcastle’s defense. While he’s not as pacey as DeAndre Yedlin, he is a better crosser of the ball and more controlled while marking.
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But, with rumors linking him to Real Betis and Sevilla in his native Spain or West Ham in the Premier League, Newcastle United could lose Manquillo right as he enters his prime. Not only would they be losing his talent, but they would be parting with him for no compensation in return.