Supporters of Newcastle United have been reacting to an update regarding the future of Newcastle United’s Florian Lejeune.
According to various reports, the defender is set to leave the club on a loan (via Shields Gazette).
Supposedly, Lejeune is going to be moving to La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves on loan.
It is stated in Chronicle Live’s report that the Frenchman is leaving to ‘clear the decks’ as Steve Bruce is eyeing a move to bring in a centre-back.
This report was relayed to Newcastle fans by NUFC 360 and it had lots of them talking.
Florian Lejeune is set to leave #nufc on loan for the season, with Deportivo Alaves interested in him. [Various]
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) September 9, 2020
Technically our best defender but has been hampered by serious injuries. A real shame.
— Toon For Change (@ToonForChange) September 9, 2020
Why on earth would we do that when we’re currently trying to bring one in on loan?
— Steven Storey (@StevenStorey007) September 9, 2020
Blame Bruce, same for Schär. Both were two of our best CB’s until Bruce took over ?????
Bruce rushed Lejeune back and he got injured again. https://t.co/n4HF7MCAyR
— Graham Speight (@GrahamSpeight) September 9, 2020
Too bad. Understandable though with the injuries. Hope he can get a full season under his belt and come back stronger.
— Chris Colwell (@ChrisX666) September 9, 2020
It is also stated in Chronicle Live’s report on the season-long loan move that the defender has been ‘encouraged’ to get a full season under his belt following recent injury concerns.
The French defender has endured three spells on the sidelines which have seen him miss multiple Newcastle games on each occasion in the previous two terms (per Transfermarkt).
I guess it helps him get game time whilst also reducing the wage bill, especially if we can’t get rid of some of the deadwood.
— Magpietilidie (@Magpietilidie) September 9, 2020
On his day he is a very good player, I’ll never forget the two 95th min goals vs Everton. Hopefully, it’s a loan with an option to buy because he just can’t stay fit.
— Angel ? (@AngelNUFC) September 9, 2020
Good player that’s been unfortunately hampered by two serious ACL injuries…Playing time has been limited so makes sense to send him out on loan to hopefully get backed to the levels he showed when he first joined where he was arguably our best CB
— Adam Essay (@EssayAdam) September 9, 2020
During the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, the Frenchman made six appearances for the Toon in which he earned an uninspiring 6.51/10 average rating (per WhoScored).
So, some supporters believed that it should be a permanent departure as opposed to a loan move.
Would you like to see Florian Lejeune leave the club permanently?
Yes, he needs to go
No, he needs to stay
On loan ????
— Kieran_NUFC (@KieranNighta) September 9, 2020
We should be selling not loaning players out.we need the money to invest ourselves
— chalkster nufc (@NufcChalkster) September 9, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Newcastle fans, there was a mixed bag of reactions from supporters regarding the transfer report.