Newcastle are pondering a permanent move for former loanee Valentino Lazaro in this summer's transfer window, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Lazaro spent the latter half of the 2020/21 season at St James' Park and made 13 appearances, four of them starts (via WhoScored).

Inter Milan then loaned him to Borussia Monchengladbach, where he had the opportunity to play Champions League football. Lazaro made five appearances in the group stages of the competition and also appeared 22 times in the Bundesliga, scoring two goals.

A versatile player, the Austrian is capable of operating up and down either flank. He was called up to represent his country at the European Championship, featuring off the bench in their 2-0 defeat to Netherlands.

Lazaro has three years left on his contract at San Siro and is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt.

The latest

Negotiations over the potential return of the 25-year-old are already said to be underway.

Lazaro has attracted 'some admirers' in Germany after his time at Monchengladbach, so Newcastle could face competition for his signature.

It doesn't look like a loan move is on the cards this time, with the report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) tipping Lazaro to leave Inter 'for good'.

The verdict

It would raise eyebrows if Newcastle went back for Lazaro given that he made little impression during his previous stint on Tyneside.

Indeed, supporters may be far more keen on Jetro Willems, another former loanee, given that he seemed a far better fit at the club and was a fan favourite among many at St James' Park.

Still, perhaps Lazaro is available for a cut-price fee given that he appears to be unwanted at Inter, and Steve Bruce could view his versatility as a major asset to Newcastle's squad.

In other news, Newcastle are in the race to pick up this player from the 2020/21 Premier League.