Report: West Ham United want Newcastle United defender Javi Manquillo

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Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo have claimed that West Ham United are interested in signing Newcastle United right-back Javier Manquillo this summer – with the Spaniard’s contract set to expire at the end of June.

Manquillo, 26, is one of a number of players expected to leave Newcastle in the coming months. The former Liverpool, Sunderland and Atletico Madrid defender is unlikely to renew his contract – and is already said to want to return to Spain.

Real Betis and Sevilla are both said to be interested in signing Manquillo, and will be buoyed by the report that Manquillo wants to move back to his home country. However, they are not the only clubs interested in the defender.

Manquillo, who has played for Newcastle 59 times since he was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2016, is said to be interesting West Ham and Fenerbahce. Pablo Zabaleta is due to leave the Hammers this summer, and they need a replacement.

Manquillo was one a of number of young signings Moyes made during his time as Sunderland manager, and a reunion could be on the cards in the coming months.

TBR’s view – Manquillo would be a decent signing, but hardly inspiring

In glimpses, Manquillo has shown why he was brought to Tyneside by Benitez but the fact of the matter is he has only managed to play about 15 games a season on average – and there is a reason why.

A good squad player, Manquillo offers versatility on both sides of the defence and can be used as a defensive winger if needed. But he is hardly the big-name signing that Hammers fans will have been hoping for at right-back.

If Ryan Fredericks joins Zabaleta in leaving, Manquillo would be a decent addition – but only as back-up.