Three Newcastle players who face axe with Merino reportedly set to sign – view
Henri Saivet
Likely to leave the club anyway this summer, French midfielder Saivet spent the entire 2016-17 season on loan with Europa League outfit St. Etienne.
Failing to earn a permanent deal despite making 35 appearances for Les Verts last season, it remains unclear how important the former Bordeaux captain will be for Benitez.
If the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager can recuperate the £4.5million they paid for 26-year-old Saivet back in January 2016, then Newcastle should cash in.