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Report: French giants open talks to sign Newcastle 25-year-old, Benitez to sanction exit
By Will Butcher
Newcastle flop Henri Saivet is in talks to move back to France after Ligue 1 side Marseille after a dismal stay in the North East, according to a report.
The 25-year-old signed a five-year contract when he joined the Magpies in January for around £5million.
However, according to French publication La Provence, the midfielder’s representatives are in talks with Marseille chiefs in a move that would see Saivet move back to France.
It is said that Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez regards Saivet as surplus to requirements and will sanction his exit.
Saivet signed for Newcastle after a string of impressive performances for Bordeaux that saw him make 123 Ligue 1 appearances in four-and-a-half years.
The Senegal international, who played for France during his youth right up until the under-21 level, made just four appearances for the Magpies after signing in January, with two of those being from the bench.
The versatile midfielder can play as a holding midfielder, in a box-to-box role or even as a second striker.
However, the report claims that any deal for Newcastle’s number 23 is far from certain, with Newcastle likely to want to recoup as much of the £5million Steve McClaren paid for the former Angers loanee.
Saivet’s place in the side is likely to have become even weaker after the signings of Isaac Hayden and Matt Ritchie and the impending deal for Mohamed Diame.
In other Newcastle news, Rafa Benitez is likely to confirm two more signings today as he continues his revolution at St, James’ Park.