{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Report: Newcastle close to agreeing midfielder deal, loan with option to buy
By Joe Nelson
Henri Saivet is set to join Saint-Etienne from Newcastle in a loan-to-buy deal, according to a report.
The Sun have claimed that the defensive midfielder is expected to join the Ligue 1 side by the end of the week, following a disappointing time in Tyneside.
It is said that the 25-year-old will move to France initially on loan, with an option to make the deal permanent.
Les Verts are keen to add to their squad after a poor start to their league campaign. They lost 3-2 to Bordeaux, Saivet’s old club, in the opening game of the season.
The Senegalese defensive midfielder joined the Magpies last January in a £5.1million deal but failed to play Premier League football under Rafael Benitez.
Saivet was not on the bench for any of Newcastle’s league games this season, including their 4-1 thumping of Reading on Wednesday night.
The Ligue 1 club’s vice-president, Roland Romeyer, has already told French outlet Le 10 Sport this week that Saivet is on their list of targets.
Saivet is under contract at Newcastle until 2021 and the Magpies would be looking to recoup most of the £5.1m they invested in him.
In more Newcastle United news, a top Premier League talent scout has his eyes on this 24-year-old.