Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has decided to leave his former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Lazaar out of the Magpies’ Premier League squad.
Achraf Lazaar’s Newcastle United nightmare is over as the forgotten man flies out to Italy for talks with a number of Serie A clubs, according to the Chronicle.
With Steve Bruce taking over from Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park this summer, the Morocco international might have hoped that he would be handed a fresh start on Tyneside.
After all, Lazaar shone during a loan spell under Bruce at Sheffield Wednesday in the second half of last season, providing plenty of quality and speed out wide.
A £2.9 million signing in the summer of 2016, the former Palermo wide man quickly fell out of favour under Benitez and he’s managed just four league appearances in three years as a Newcastle player.
And the Chronicle reports that he is unlikely to add to that rather meagre tally. Bruce, despite his obvious admiration for the 27-year-old, is set to leave Lazaar out of his 25-man Premier League squad after snapping up Jetro Willems.
Lazaar is understood to be ‘disappointed’, as he gears up for a return to Serie A with his Newcastle career all but over.
While Lazaar offered a timely reminder of his potential at Hillsborough over the last few months, it is hard to argue with Newcastle’s decision. In Willems, they now have an established Dutch international who’s superb crossing ability should create a fearsome partnership with new striker Joelinton.
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