Newcastle United defender Javier Manquillo has emerged on a shortlist of two players of interest La Liga side Villarreal this month as they look to solve their issues at right-back.
The 26-year-old committed his long-term future to the Magpies just last summer when he put pen to paper on a new deal worth around £35,000-a-week. However, the Spaniard has seen his game-time limited so far this season, having made just five starts in the Premier League so far, the last of which came in the win at Crystal Palace at the end of November (Sofascore).
It has now been reported that former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has put Manquillo on a shortlist of two players for Villareal to try and sign this month, with the La Liga club seeking a solution to the injury picked up by first-choice right-back Mario Gaspar. They are reportedly looking at a loan move for either the 26-year-old Newcastle defender or River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel, according to Spanish outlet El Periodicio Mediterraneo.
It is also being reported that, despite the defender having signed a new deal until 2024, the Magpies are open to the prospect of him leaving St James’ Park this month, per El Periodicio Mediterraneo. That comes after he was left on the bench in favour of Emil Krafth for the 3-0 loss against Arsenal on Monday night.
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Allowing Manquillo to leave the club at this stage would be a surprising move for the Magpies, especially considering that DeAndre Yedlin’s contract is set to expire in the summer, and he has been linked with a move to the MLS. Krafth has also struggled when he has featured for Newcastle this term and he endured a difficult night at Arsenal on Monday (Sofascore).
Manquillo was overlooked for the game against Arsenal despite Bruce switching to a 4-4-2 and deciding that Yedlin was not the best option to start at right-back. The Spaniard has been a decent performer when he has featured, averaging 2.2 tackles and 1.5 clearances per game and helping the Magpies record two of the three clean sheets they have managed this season (Sofascore).
It is therefore baffling why they would want to lose arguably their most effective right-back option, but Villarreal would be an attractive proposition for him as they are currently in the top four in La Liga and in with a real chance of securing Champions League football next term.
