Journalist claims NUFC defender is now being lined up to replace World Cup star

After an impressive World Cup, Uruguay's Diego Laxalt is believed to be closing in on a move to AC Milan - and Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Genoa are now eyeing a move to sign Newcastle's Achraf Lazaar as his replacement.

Considering Laxalt's form in Russia and Lazaar's recent failings in Italy, this would seem like quite a downgrade - not that Newcastle would complain if they were able to permanently offload him.

Given our total lack of cover for Paul Dummett at left-back, you'd think Lazaar may have been able to force his way back into Rafa's plans this summer - however he's not even been given a squad number. That in itself says it all really.

Now, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reckons Serie A side Genoa are keen to sign him as a replacement for Diego Laxalt - the highly-rated wing back who's all set to seal a €18m move to Milan.

https://twitter.com/NUFC360/status/1029629552128086017

Considering how poor he was during a loan spell with Serie A strugglers Benevento last season, I can't imagine Genoa fans are too happy about this one.

It would have been nice if Rafa felt Lazaar was able to fill in at left-back - with us woefully short in that area after failing to sign cover on deadline day - however he's clearly a player Benitez has no desire to use; despite him being signed by the Spaniard just two years ago.

I don't expect us to get much of a fee, but it would be a good job done to get him off our books, with The Chronicle suggesting recently that he picks up a hefty £35,000 per week. And that's been money old rope given his total lack of involvement at first-team level.