Newcastle United fringe man open to extended stay amid future uncertainty as loan deal talk emerges

Newcastle United loan man Valentino Lazaro is open to an extended stay on Tyneside despite his frustrations at a lack of game time under Steve Bruce.
WATFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Andre Gray of Watford takes on Valentino Lazaro of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Newcastle United at Vicarage Road on July 11, 2020 in Watford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)WATFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Andre Gray of Watford takes on Valentino Lazaro of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Newcastle United at Vicarage Road on July 11, 2020 in Watford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Andre Gray of Watford takes on Valentino Lazaro of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Newcastle United at Vicarage Road on July 11, 2020 in Watford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The Austrian international is again likely to be named on the United bench as Premier League champions Liverpool travel to St James’s Park on Sunday.

And the Gazette understands the Inter Milan loanee is unhappy that he’s not been trusted to start more than three games in the top flight since making the temporary switch from Serie A in January.

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But the wideman would, according to sources close to the 24-year-old, consider an extended stay at United, beyond the end of the current Premier League campaign.

Lazaro is unlikely to be be handed a chance to prove himself at the San Siro next season, with Antonio Conte likely to sanction his departure just 12 months after making a £20 million move from Hertha Berlin.

And as part of his United switch a clause with a buyout fee, thought to be equal to the amount Inter paid to land the player, was inserted in the deal.

It is however, unlikely, United would splash out near £20 million to land a player who has proven himself as little more than a squad player this season.

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However, with takers at that price unlikely to be queuing up – RB Leipzig and former club Hertha are interested – Inter are reportedly open to allowing Lazaro to leave again on loan, this time with a compulsory buy clause. They are also considering dropping their asking price for the former RB Salzburg man.

Discussing potential moves for his NUFC loan players – with Danny Rose the most likely to make the permanent switch – Bruce said: “I’m going to sit down with Lee (Charnley) after the season finishes, and find out the respective positions of the clubs and what they want for their players.

"There’s no doubt the three of them have certainly helped us. If we hadn’t brought Danny in, we would have been toiling in that position. Bentaleb has come back from the break, and done well.

"The one who hasn’t really had the game time has been Lazaro, but, quietly, I’ve been pleased with him.”