Newcastle will be in the market to sign a new left-back this summer and Hugo Bueno of Wolves is a player they like
Hugo Bueno of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates his goal against Arsenal(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
When Newcastle United venture into the summer transfer market, one of their key priorities will be to sign a left-back to compete with Lewis Hall.
Hall’s development has been such this season that he has arguably been the best left-back in the Premier League and he is in pole position to start for England at the World Cup.
But Newcastle don’t have a natural replacement for him in the squad and when he was injured earlier this season, right-back Tino Livramento, centre-back Dan Burn and young centre-back Alex Murphy have all deputised for him in an unnatural role.
It is a situation that needs to be addressed in the summer and one player Newcastle have been monitoring is Wolves left-back Hugo Bueno.
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Bueno has made great strides this season, profiting from Wolves’ sale of Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester City to establish himself as the club’s first choice left-wing-back after returning from a loan spell with Feyenoord last season.
The Spaniard impressed against Newcastle when the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in January and the Magpies’ head of recruitment Steve Nickson has been spotted at Molineux with Bueno and young forward Mateus Mane thought to be the focus of his attention.
Wolves look set to be relegated to the Championship and Bueno, who joined the club as a teenager, could be attainable this summer.
So what is their stance on Bueno’s future, what type of player is he, would he fit in at Newcastle and would he relish a battle to play with Hall? Chronicle Live spoke to the Express and Star’s Wolverhampton Wanderers reporter Liam Keen to get the view from Molineux on the 23-year-old.
What type of player is Bueno, what could Newcastle fans expect?
“Bueno has developed into a really consistent and reliable left-back or left-wing-back. Having played further forward in his much younger academy days, Bueno’s biggest strength is his attacking abilities and crossing.
“He often crosses early and accurately and also has a good shot from distance on either foot. The Spaniard always plays with a lot of energy, getting up and down the flank, and works extremely hard for the team.”
It seems like he has really kicked on this season since Rayan Ait-Nouri departed. Is that a fair assessment?
“Definitely. He’s had injury issues in previous years and was sometimes out of favour, but his loan at Feyenoord last season helped his development and he returned to Wolves with a lot more experience and confidence.
“He has improved defensively this season and looks a lot fitter since Rob Edwards has taken over.”
He would be competing against Lewis Hall, who has arguably been the best left-back in the league this season. Is that something he would relish?
“I think he would. He has had to battle with David Moller Wolfe at times this season at Wolves and more often than not he has won that battle.
“However, he left on loan last year because he could not get into the team ahead of Ait-Nouri and Bueno is a player that wants to play. Hall is an excellent left-back and although Bueno would be a good signing for most Premier League sides, he will want playing time.”
Lewis Hall of Newcastle United and Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona
Is he popular among his team-mates and supporters?
“Bueno has always been an easy person to speak to and get along with and is popular in the dressing room.
“He was always liked by supporters but has never really had a lot of love from fans until the turn of the year, where his performances have been rewarded by chants from fans, often alongside Santi Bueno who has also performed well.”
What is Wolves’ stance on a sale? How much would it cost Newcastle to prise him away from Molineux?
“It is clear that Wolves are keen to keep Bueno next season and if the club is relegated, he would easily be the best left-back in the Championship.
“Bueno also has an affinity for Wolves, having joined the academy as a 16-year-old for a tiny fee and worked his way into the first team. That may help Wolves keep hold of him, and it would take a decent fee for him to depart, but I expect clubs to be interested in him.”
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