Forgotten man makes shock Newcastle transfer revelation as he details surprise future plans
Newcastle United left back Achraf Lazaar has revealed that the club did not want him to depart on loan and that he is planning for a future at the club.
The Moroccan defender, who joined the Magpies back in the summer of 2016 from Italian side Palermo, has been shipped back off to Italy on a season's long loan with Serie A side Benevento after having failed to have had an impact during his time on Tyneside. .
He is likely to be a forgotten man among the Newcastle fans, having made just nine appearances last season, not one coming as a start in the league, before departing St James' Park, which he has shockingly revealed came against Newcastle's own wishes.
He stated that he has had a lot of key communication with manager Rafael Benitez during his loan spell, as well as the rest of the Magpies' squad via a group chat on social media, and revealed that there is no deal for his loan side to turn the temporary spell permanent, having signed a five-year deal at Newcastle.
In an interview with Tribal Football, as quoted by the Chronicle, the 25-year-old said: "I can tell you one thing: Newcastle didn’t even want me to go away on loan. It was me.
“I let them understand that I really cared about playing more minutes. That was what I missed very much.
"This is why I decided to come back on loan to Italy. I wanted to find again the Lazaar I was, in the league where I was born, in order to come back to Newcastle much stronger than before.
"I have a wonderful relationship with the guys at Newcastle, we have a group on WhatsApp.
"I receive many messages for every match I play from Rafa Benitez and it really gives me pleasure.
“I appreciate him so much, he is a great manager who has won a lot."
Since joining Benevento on loan, Lazaar has made nine appearances, having been ruled out of the club's last three matches with a knee injury.
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