Burnley Or Newcastle United? Which Is A Better Destination For Yuto Nagatomo
The 31-year-old Japanese left-back is currently on the lookout for a new club having spent 8 years at Inter Milan. The San Siro club have offered Nagatomo a new contract with his current deal set to expire in 2019.
The Japanese international is an experienced defender and has represented Japan in major football tournaments including two FIFA World Cups and the Confederations Cup. In fact, Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger picked him as a part of his best XI of the tournament. But with the 31-year-old looking for a new challenge, let’s take a look where he could best fit. Newcastle United and Burnley are said to be leading the chase.
There were several reports linking Nagatomo with Newcastle United. The Magpies are in desperate need for a left-back, with Paul Dummett either getting injured or underperforming.
Rafael Benitez has been fielding former Liverpool full-back, Javier Manquillo in his place. The Spaniard is versatile but is not experienced. Nagatomo could look at Newcastle as his next destination with Benitez looking for a player who has got both experience and dependability.
Despite being 31 years of age, Benitez should have no problem bringing in the defender, having already signed veteran players like Daryl Murphy and Jesus Gamez. The Spanish manager clearly has no trouble investing in experienced individuals which is a good sign for Nagatomo.
Rafael Benitez had been looking for a new left-back all summer and one of the options was Southampton’s Matt Target. A loan deal was in talks but the fee involved was supposedly beyond Newcastle’s budget.
Yuto Nagatomo could have worked under Benitez in the past but the Spanish manager left Milan just weeks before the Japanese left-back joined the club. Newcastle United under Rafael Benitez once again looks like a club capable of competing in the top half of the table and seems like the better option for Yuto Nagatomo over Burnley.
The Clarets have Stephen Ward, who is a regular in the squad and Nagatomo will find it hard to force his way into the side. Burnley do not look like a side who are in desperate need of defensive reinforcement given their record in the Premier League this season.
Sean Dyche has a well-drilled defence and has done a great job keeping some big sides at bay. So it is pretty clear that Nagatomo should be heading to St. James’s Park rather than Turf Moor.
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