Monaco's Portuguese midfielder Rony Lopes (C) celebrates after scoring during the French League Cup quarter final football match between AS Monaco and Stade Rennais Football Club at the "Louis II" stadium in Monaco on January 9, 2019. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Last month, a report from the Chronicle had claimed Newcastle United were monitoring the progress of Rony Lopes, with Steve Bruce keen to sign the Sevilla winger in the January transfer window.
A product of SL Benfica youth academy, Rony Lopes, 23, moved to Manchester City back in 2012 but failed to make the grade before leaving the Etihad permanently in 2015 for AS Monaco. After impressing for AS Monaco in recent seasons, he only signed for Sevilla in the summer for £18m.
However, the Portuguese has failed to adapt to the demands of La Liga, featuring just three times across all competitions. The 23-year-old is already out of favour under Julen Lopetegui and considering his situation at the club, he could be ready to leave Sevilla if Newcastle come calling January.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United find themselves in the relegation zone after just nine games into the new season. The Magpies may have earned big wins over Tottenham and Manchester United but overall, they have been poor and need some new additions in January.
Steve Bruce is under intense pressure and risks losing his job if he fails to achieve positive results in the next few games.
Goals have been pretty hard to flow by so far season, with none of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin consistently delivering the goods. This is the primary reason why the Toon Army are in the drop zone at the moment.
Keeping that in mind, a move for Rony Lopes could be the step in the right direction. He has struggled to find his feet at Sevilla, often cutting a forlorn figure since his move from Monaco in the summer. A move to Newcastle perhaps could help the 23-year-old get back his career on track.
Pacey, agile and hard-working, Lopes is a winger but is capable of playing as a centre-forward or as a No.10. In France with Monaco, the two-cap Portugal international displayed good pace on and off the ball, plus the ability to dribble beyond opponents, commit defenders and get on the end of crosses. He displayed enough promise that led to Sevilla signing him in the summer.
The 23-year-old would add much-needed flair and guile to the Newcastle attack, whilst challenging the likes of Saint-Maximin, Almiron and Atsu for a place in the starting XI. Furthermore, Lopes would be desperate to prove himself in the Premier League, having failed to break through at Manchester City.
It remains to be seen what sort of impact Lopes will have on Newcastle if he joins them during the January transfer window.
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