The Chronicle have revealed that Rafa Benitez has told Tim Krul, Massaido Haidara, Achraf Lazaar, Henri Saivet and Emmanuel Riviere that their Newcastle United careers are over, with French side St. Etienne in advanced talks to sign left-back Haidara according to L’Equipe.
After loan spells away last season, Krul, Saivet and Riviere would have been hoping to impress over pre-season in a bid to resurrect their NUFC careers, however the pair have not been handed the chance to do so by Benitez, and have instead been told that they must look for moves elsewhere.
Emannuel Riviere looked set for a move to Metz at the back end of last week, but reports have suggested the Frenchman has turned down their offer – a bold move for a man who’s not scored since 2015.
Left-back duo Achraf Lazaar and Massaido Haidara barely featured across the whole of last season, making just 5 appearances between them in all competitions, and the latter could be set for a medical with St. Etienne.
Huge week for #nufc – outgoing
Haidara, Krul, Saivet, Rivière – all need shifted asap. £10-£12m a year off the wage bill
— tf NUFC podcast (@tfweeklypod) July 30, 2017
With our squad still requiring another 4 or 5 additions, it’s vital we can flog some of the unwanted deadwood currently residing within Rafa’s ranks.
Moving on all of the above, as well as the likes of Grant Hanley and, dare I say, Aleksandar Mitrovic, would be a good job done to allow for some much needed incomings.
Truth is we should be shifting a few more if we had the funds ?
Chris(Quote)