da heads bet： Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez could be forced to try and shift another flop this summer, with Henri Saviet reportedly likely to return to the club following his loan spell with St. Etienne this summer.
What’s the word?
da brwin： Well, according to But! Football Club over in France, Ligue 1 side have been disappointed with his efforts this season, with the Ivorian scoring just once and recording only two assists.
After proving relatively impressive for Bordeaux in France, a move back across the English Channel was seen as a wise avenue to go down following an ill-fated few months on Tyneside. However, like his time in black and white, Les Verts are seemingly unhappy with his performances.
What does this mean for Newcastle?
It’s likely the Magpies will actively try and sell the 26-year-old as they attempt to fund what could be a summer spree in preparation for life back in the Premier League.
The options in central midfield will need to be sufficiently addressed this summer, with a January move for James McCarthy having failed, while the likes of Jack Colback, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey provide better options as things stand.
No time left to run?
It would be hard to argue against the fact that everything seems to point towards a summer exit. However, Benitez has shown a willingness to integrate players previously on the peripherals of his squad into the first-team this season.
Yoan Gouffran was widely expected to leave last summer, though has become a key figure on the left of the attacking trident that operate behind a central striker, while Cheick Tiote was kept on as long as he was required amid a spate of injuries.
You get the feeling that, if the right offer came in, he’d be allowed to leave in an instant. Still, little Benitez has done with the tools available to him thus far suggest anything is clear cut just yet.