Manquillo set for a reunion with former boss in Spain as Magpies trim their squad

Javier Manquillo looks to be on his way out of Newcastle United with Rafa Benitez set to reunite with his former right-back at Celta Vigo.

Benitez signed Manquillo for Newcastle in 2017 and now it looks like he's keen to link up with the Spaniard once again.

We said earlier when we spoke about Jamaal Lascelles being the subject of a bid that selling players is the last thing we should be doing right now, but in all fairness to Javier Manquillo, he is one we can afford to let go.

Manquillo has no future at Newcastle

Eddie Howe tried to sell the 29-year-old in the summer but there were no takers due to his injury, so he's not likely to stand in his way now.

PA Sport

Selling Manquillo won't bring in the big bucks but it will clear a squad space and it gets a player off the wage bill which will help with FFP.

Of course, it's all well and good opening up a squad space but if you're not going to fill it, what's the point?

Newcastle could soon be two players down

If the bid for Lascelles is accepted also, then that's two players out, two more off the wage bill and a bit more freedom when it comes to finances, but with two players gone we'd absolutely have to bring someone in this winter.

Fingers crossed that the club are actually working on things in the shadows. Let's be honest, it's how they usually operate. Quite often our signings come out of nowhere and that's the hope we're all clinging on to right now.

There's still time for January to get interesting.