---
title: "Italian agent claims that Newcastle are “not a top club”"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2020/02/14/italian-agent-claims-that-newcastle-are-not-a-top-club/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-02-14T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-02-14T07:00:00Z"
---

# Italian agent claims that Newcastle are “not a top club”

Italian agent Pasquale Sensible has claimed that Newcastle are “not a top club”, following their loan capture of Valentino Lazaro from Inter Milan.

The Austria international joined the Magpies on loan for the remainder of the season in January, having [struggled for regular game time](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/valentino-lazaro/leistungsdaten/spieler/186368) at the San Siro this season.

The 23-year old had looked likely to sign for RB Leipzig before joining Newcastle instead, with [Lazaro explaining](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/valentino-lazaro-reveals-why-he-signed-newcastle-united-1556610) that he “felt more welcomed” at St James’ Park.

Sensible, who is not Lazaro’s agent, claims that the winger-cum-fullback can improve on Tyneside, although he also stated that Newcastle aren’t a “top club”.

Talking to [TuttoMercatoWeb](https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/tmw-radio-sensibile-eriksen-di-alto-valore-hellas-da-studiare-1348578), as [translated by Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/player-can-improve-transfer-newcastle-united-seen-right-option-taken/), Sensible said:

> Inter studied him before taking him, one of his peculiarities is his tactical flexibility. The performance of Candreva and D’Ambrosio on the outside could have affected Conte’s considerations and decisions.
>
> The move to England? I don’t think there is another league like the Premier, in which all the matches are played evenly by teams like Newcastle, which is not a top club. Valentino can only improve, also given his age.

### Read Newcastle Verdict

Sensible’s comments shouldn’t faze Newcastle supporters, as there is a degree of obvious truth to his words. Newcastle are a well-supported club, in fact, [they were once named](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-13th-best-supported-16115303) as the 13th best-supported club in the world.

However, in modern football, of course they cannot be considered a ‘top club’. The Magpies have not finished in a top-six spot since the [2011/12 season](https://www.premierleague.com/history/2011-12), where Alan Pardew led his side to fifth.

It is currently too early to tell whether Lazaro ultimately made the right choice in joining Newcastle, and whether it is a move that he may consider making permanent. For now though, fans should be buoyed by the club’s business, with the Magpies [signing](https://www.skysports.com/football/transfer-deals) three players with Champions League experience during the January window.