OPINION
There were a number of names who Newcastle United would have been hoping to get off the books this summer in a bid to clear their wages off the books, but things appear not to have gone to plan.
The likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Jack Colback and Matz Sels have all been shipped out on a mix of permanent on loan deals, but with Henri Saivet, Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar all still at the club, Rafael Benitez’s work is not complete.
It had appeared as though Moroccan international Lazaar was close to securing a move away from St James’ Park, with a return to Italy with Genoa on the cards, but the 26-year-old has confirmed things have fallen through as the clubs pulled a u-turn over his departure.
He told Gazetta Dello Sport, as relayed by Calcio Mercato: “On Friday morning, Newcastle had authorised me to fly to Italy. I just had to sign the contract.
“Several voices were coming but, in the evening, the two clubs told me correctly that the deal had faded.
“I hope to regain my space. I will work hard to get back to the top and be the protagonist, if not I will look around.”
While Lazaar might be focused on regaining his spot in the Newcastle senior side, the Magpies are gambling on wasting money by keeping him on their books, and an exit before the end of August is a must to help Benitez’s cause in January’s transfer market.
Every penny spent needlessly is money which could be going towards future recruitment, and calling off a deal with Genoa is a risk which leaves Newcastle facing the prospect of wages going to waste.
Benitez might have been looking for a left back in the summer but Lazaar is by no means the answer, and getting rid will give them a boost in the long-run.