- Manquillo set to be reunited with Benitez at Celta
- Spaniard has been troubled by injury this season
- Full-back’s departure would ease PSR limits for Newcastle
Newcastle United right-back, Javier Manquillo, appears to be on the brink of departing the club to join Celta Vigo.
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Celta swoop for Manquillo may help Newcastle to release funds
Despite not featuring in the first team this season due to recurring muscular injuries, the 29-year-old is in discussions to return to his native Spain and reunite with his former manager at Newcastle, Rafa Benitez, following a successful operation.
Newcastle’s head coach, Eddie Howe, is eager to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window. However, the club is nearing the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) limit, requiring them to offload fringe players to make room in the wage bill for potential signings.
The injury woes continue for Newcastle, with Joelinton expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a groin tendon operation. This further intensifies the club’s need for reinforcements, particularly in the midfield.
Javier Manquillo, who has been with Newcastle since 2017, currently holds the fourth-choice right-back position behind Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, and Emil Krafth. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the proposed move to Celta Vigo could see him reunite with Rafa Benitez for the second time, as Benitez previously brought him to Tyneside from Atletico Madrid in 2017.
Rafa Benitez, now managing Celta Vigo, finds his team currently positioned 16th in La Liga, just two points above the relegation zone. If the deal materialises, it will mark another chapter in the professional relationship between Benitez and Manquillo.
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Betting Implications
Newcastle’s season is currently in danger of unravelling due to a huge injury crisis.There is still hope that they can make a serious push for the minor European places, if not the Champions League spots and have a good go at the FA Cup. However, to do that they need bodies back and with the huge blow of losing Joelinton for an extended period they may need to look at the transfer market. And the only way they can do this is by off loading some fringe players such as Manquillo. Bettors need to monitor the transfer activity at St James’ Park before deciding on outright and match to match picks involving the Magpies. At the time of writing bet365 have United at 12/1 to get into the top four and 9/4 to finish in the top six. These odds have lengthened somewhat over the past month as the injury crisis has gripped Tyneside.
Celta, meanwhile, need to pull away from the relegation zone and Manquillo, if fit, can provide experience and dependability. The former Atletico Madrid defender is also comfortable at left-back, and this versatility would boost Benitez’s squad. Bettors need to evaluate if Manquillo and any other January acquisitions can help Celta pull clear of the relegation zone. Unibet currently have Celta priced at 5/1 to be relegated.
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