Newcastle United top target 'prefers' move to Bundesliga over Premier League – report

The Magpies were hopeful of landing the Austria international on loan this week but the deal has stalled with RB Leipzig showing their hand in the last few days.

The player’s agent Max Hagmayr was at St James’s Park for Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend, while pictures emerged of him meeting with Leipzig officials in Milan earlier this week. His recent social media post in Bologna yesterday has also raised eyebrows.

But, according to the Italian press, the race for Inter Milan man Lazaro is a two horse one – and it appears as though United are lagging behind.

Publications Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both claim Leipzig are Lazaro’s preferred destination this window.

The reports state that the 23-year-old right-sided midfielder has ‘positive’ memories from his time in the top flight in Germany, where he spent two seasons with Hertha Berlin earlier in his career. Also the fact RB Leipzig are fighting for the Bundesliga title, while United are likely to be in a Premier League relegation battle, is swaying his decision.

At the weekend Bruce admits he was hopeful of a deal. He said: “It’s fairly common knowledge his agent was at St James’s Park.

“We hope we can develop it. We’ll see what the next 24 or 48 hours bring.”