Newcastle United defender is ‘most liked option’ for La Liga club amid January deal claims

Newcastle United defender Javier Manquillo is a reported target for La Liga struggler Cadiz.

The Pirates are currently sat second from bottom in Spanish football’s top tier after former Magpies star Florian Lejeune scored twice to help Rayo Vallecano to a 5-1 home win over Sergio Gonzalez’s side. That extended Cadiz’s run of form to just one win from their opening 11 games of the season, with their solitary maximum coming in a 1-0 victory at Real Valladolid last month.

Their thoughts are quickly turning towards the January transfer window as they look to boost their squad in a bid to avoid relegation from La Liga and Manquillo is one option being heavily discussed by the Cadiz hierachy. The former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid full-back has struggled for game-time since Newcastle completed the signing of England star Kieran Trippier during the January transfer window.

Although he has been named among the substitutes on several occasions this season, Manquillo’s last Premier League appearance came in the 5-1 hammering United suffered at Tottenham Hotspur in March. Emil Krafth’s upturn in form saw the Swede earn a regular starting place in Eddie Howe’s side before Trippier returned to fitness ahead of the current season after suffering a foot injury just a month into his time on Tyneside.

Manquillo will head into the final 18 months of his existing deal at St James Park when the January transfer window opens and Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo have suggested the Magpies full-back ‘wants to play’ with more regularity and would ‘not see an exit with bad eyes’ as he considers bringing an end to his five-year stay at Newcastle.

Intriguingly, the report also suggests Newcastle will be asked the pay part of Manquillo’s salary to allow the defender to join Cadiz.