£4.5m spent, two starts, 115 touches: Is Henri Saivet one of Newcastle United’s worst ever signings?

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Newcastle have let Henri Saivet go, after barely seeing a return on the £4.5 million they spent.

Newcastle United’s Henri Saivet in action with West Ham’s Mark Noble

£4.5 million is not a lot of money at all in today’s transfer market – but for Newcastle United it is plenty to write off after just six months.

Yet this – along with the wages spent – is exactly what they have done with Henri Saivet, after sending him out on loan to Saint Etienne for the season yesterday.

Former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren

Signed by Steve McClaren from Bordeaux, new boss Rafa Benitez did not fancy him – and he made no impact whatsoever.

The statistics tell their own story, when looking at Saivet’s contribution, with the Frenchman unable to help the club stave off relegation.

Saivet made four appearances, two of which were starts and two from the bench, and made 115 touches of the ball in total in a Newcastle shirt.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez

He offered nothing going forward, and his defensive effort was nothing to write home about – but more telling is the fact he has been unable to convince Benitez he is worth keeping, either through his talent, or lack of motivation or desire to succeed at the club.

As it stands for the money spent, he is one of the worst signings made by Newcastle in recent years – although faces strong competition from the likes of Remy Cabella and Florian Thauvin, both signed within the past two years.

How can the perception change?

The frustrating element of this is, Saivet may be a good player, but his contribution for Newcastle is nil, yet there are two ways he can redeem himself.

The fact he is out on loan gives him both an opportunity to perform, and bides him time.

Newcastle United’s Henri Saivet in action with West Ham’s Mark Noble

He can earn a permanent move away and recoup the fee Newcastle spent, or even return in a season’s time ready to start afresh.

If Newcastle are in the Premier League at that time, Saivet may really be inspired to stay, but will need a good year behind him if he is to impress Benitez.