Valentino Lazaro signs for Champions League club after rejecting NUFC - Official photos
January loanee Valentino Lazaro has completed a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach, joining the Germans on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Inter Milan.
Following the announcement, The Chronicle's Lee Ryder reveals the Austrian 'turned down' a return to St James' Park due to a 'lack of first-team assurances'.
As a result, he signs with the Bundesliga side who are set to compete in the Champions League next season after finishing 4th in the German top flight in 2019/20.
Here's what the Borussia Monchengladbach's sporting director Max Eberl has had to say since he signed:
“We’re delighted that the loan move has gone through and that Tino has chosen to come to Borussia,”
“He is a very versatile player and adds even more strength and depth to our squad.”
For me, we've only got ourselves to blame here, with Steve Bruce's reluctance to start the talented 24-year-old often leaving fans baffled last season given he often showed real flashes of quality, intent and energy from the bench.
Another loan deal with an option to buy could've been ideal given our budget, however a return to Germany at a club set for the Champions League appears to be a far more attractive proposition for the Austrian - especially when he was not guaranteed regular minutes under Steve Bruce.
I can't help but feel we'll live to regret how we handled his six-month loan stint at St James' Park as there's clearly a very capable player in there.
Good luck, Valentino!
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