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Newcastle keen to offload £35,000-a-week midfielder this summer - report
By Derek Smithson
Newcastle are keen on selling midfielder Henri Saivet in the summer, according to a report.
The Chronicle claim that the Magpies are looking to cut their wage budget and are prepared to get rid of the 26-year-old Senegal international.
It is understood that the central midfielder currently earns £35,000-a-week and still has four year remaining on his contract at St James’ Park.
The report details that the north-east club are looking to recoup the £5million they originally paid for him and are set to offer him to clubs across Europe in the transfer market.
Saivet moved to Newcastle in January 2016 and was unable to help them slip out of the Premier League.
The midfielder was then loaned out for the entire campaign last season by Rafael Benitez, where he experienced regular football for Ligue 1 club Saint-Etienne.
Newcastle are now preparing for life back in the top flight after winning the Championship title last season and it appears Saivet has no future at the club.
Football Insider verdict:
Newcastle could do with a midfield enforcer alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the Premier League and Saivet certainly has the potential. The 26-year-old proved himself in France last season with Saint-Etienne and made seven appearances in the Europa League. He may need time to adapt fully to English football, but his high £35,000-a-week wages are the major issue. They need players that can come straight into Benitez’s starting line-up and help them avoid a relegation battle. Newcastle should receive several suitors if he becomes available in the summer and look to replace him with someone of the same mould.
In other Newcastle transfer news, their fringe player is set to join a Champions League side.
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