Why Newcastle Must Avoid Signing Inter Milan’s Yuto Nagatomo
Inter Milan’s veteran full-back Yuto Nagatomo has reportedly emerged as a target for Newcastle United. He is understood to have put contract talks on hold with Inter, after spending 6 seasons at the club.
The left-back signed for Inter Milan back in 2011. Since then, he has gone on to enjoy an impressive 6-year spell at San Siro. With his current deal set to expire in 2019, Inter are ready to offer the Japanese star a fresh contract to keep him at the club. However, the player is believed to be keen on an exit in search of pastures anew.
Who Is Yuto Nagatomo?
Nagatomo started his club career with FC Tokyo back in 2008. He spent four years at the club, during which he made a modest 84 appearances before being loaned out to Serie A side A.C. Cesena.
The Italian club then signed him on a permanent basis after his impressive performances. However, the player did not make a single appearance for the club since he was immediately shipped out on loan to Inter Milan, in exchange for Davide Santon. Nagatomo made quite an impact at Inter – coming off the bench and scoring impressive goals before going on to become an important part of the squad.
The deal soon became permanent, and after spending six years at the club, Nagatomo could be seeking a move to the Premier League to embark upon a new challenge. This is, at least, what Newcastle will be hoping for, since they want to bring the 31-year old to England.
Should Newcastle United Sign Him?
Newcastle need reinforcements, that much is sure. The club have reaching new heights under Rafael Benitez, but their performances could improve ten-fold with the injection of new players. In fact, after a very impressive season in the Championships that saw Newcastle return to the Premier League, Benitez did demand new signings of Premier League standard, but unfortunately, that did not happen since the club were unable to sell their existing crop of players. That has not affected their performances much but Newcastle still had to deal with a stagnant squad.
However, as far as left-back goes, the Magpies currently have three players in the squad who can play in that position. Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara, who are all quality options for Benitez to deploy in that area. Thus, spending quite a bit of money on a 31-year-old does not make sense, especially since Benitez already has three options. Other areas of the squad need more strengthening, and it would be better for the club if they focus on recruiting new players who can truly add value to the club.