Benitez makes surprising revelation regarding attacker’s future

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has dropped a huge hint that Yoan Gouffran could be staying put at St. James’ Park.

Gouffran has not quite been able to produce his best since joining Newcastle United from Bordeaux during the January transfer window of 2013 and it was widely believed that the Frenchman would be leaving St. James’ Park this summer, especially as he has entered the final year of his contract at the club.

Following Newcastle’s terrible start to the season though, manager Rafael Benitez decided to hand Gouffran a chance in the first team against Reading last week and he managed to deliver a stunning performance during the encounter.

Gouffran then followed it up with another encouraging display in the victory over Bristol City during the weekend and after the Frenchman’s exploits over the past few days, Benitez has gone on to drop a huge hint that he will be looking to keep hold of the 30-year-old this summer.

Benitez was quoted saying by the Shields Gazette, “He’s a player that’s available and training well. He’s under contract, so nothing has changed. He’s a player that I like.

“He’s a very good professional. Still we have to wait, but I’m very pleased with him. I was watching him as a striker and then he had to play as a winger and a midfielder.

“He was not very happy because he was not playing very well. The perception outside was that maybe he was not as good as he could be.”