According to reports in Spain, Alaves are ‘very interested’ in re-signing Florian Lejeune this summer – however their loan bid looks destined to fail as things stand.
This comes from Basque-based paper Noticias de Álava, who claim that the La Liga side have made enquiries over a second loan deal for the Frenchman.
However, they report that Newcastle are only interested in selling the centre-back this summer – which is bad news for Alaves as they don’t have the funds required to sign him on a permanent deal.
As a result, the paper states that it will be ‘more complicated’ than last year for the Spanish side to strike an agreement with Newcastle United, with us wanting a sale – as Lejeune is out of contract next summer – and them eyeing another inexpensive loan deal.
Lejeune has been spotted back on Tyneside this week, returning to our Benton training base for the start of pre-season, however it’s been reported that he WILL be allowed to leave this summer should the right offer arrive.
Noticias de Álava insist that Alaves won’t be making ‘significant’ bids this summer, so it seems a loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the 2021/22 will be their only hope of bringing him back to La Liga.
Considering he impressed during his season back in Spain, I wouldn’t be surprised if a permanent bid arrives from elsewhere and he is denied a return to his former loan club.
Either way, it seems he’s not in Bruce’s plans and won’t be handed a second chance at St James’ Park this summer, meaning we may as well cash in and spend the money raised on a new centre-back.
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