Javier Manquillo set for permanent Newcastle United move pending medical

Javier Manquillo’s time at Atlético Madrid is coming to an end as he undergoes a medical in Carton House, Co.Kildare, Ireland, where Newcastle United are currently in the middle of their preseason.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish defender will team up with Rafa Benítez after having not joined up with Diego Simeone’s squad in Segovia for preseason training. He was allowed to sort out his future, which was clearly not in Madrid with Atlético.

Manquillo, who is from Chincón on the outskirts of Madrid, will leave the club after playing just 17 games for the first team. However, he was part of the squad that won the European Super Cup and Copa del Rey in 2013, in addition to LaLiga in 2013-14.

The 23-year-old was spotted and pictured in Newcastle with Mundo Deportivo reporting that the deal is done pending a medical.

Manquillo has spent the last three years on loan at Liverpool, Marseille and Sunderland respectively. He played for Atlético’s B side prior to that and made the jump to the first team without ever convincing Simeone of his ability. The most successful of his loan spells came in France with Marseille, where he impressed in 43 games. He will likely battle with DeAndre Yedlin and former Atlético right-back Jesús Gámez for game-time in the Magpies’ return to the Premier League.