Newcastle United are reportedly hopeful of re-signing Kenedy from Premier League club Chelsea but will Rafa Benitez get his man?
Is Kenedy set for a second spell at Newcastle United?
The Brazilian winger barely got a look-in at Chelsea under Antonio Conte but shone after moving on loan to Newcastle last January.
Kenedy scored and assisted four goals in 13 Premier League games and, along with fellow new recruit Martin Dubravka, helped inspire the previously relegation-threatened Magpies to a top-half finish.
Understandably, Newcastle would welcome Kenedy back with open arms, even if Chelsea are said to be demanding £30 million for the former Fluminense starlet. And latest reports in the Northern Echo suggest that Newcastle are closer than ever to bringing the 22-year-old to Tyneside.
It is understood that talks between Newcastle and Chelsea have progressed significantly in the last few days and the Blues have shown a willingness to let Kenedy leave.
The fee remains a potential stumbling block, however. The Northern Echo adds that Newcastle will struggle to fund a permanent deal for Kenedy this summer so hope to sign him on loan with the option to buy in a year; although Chelsea would demand £30 million for an exclusivity clause.
This means Newcastle would have to shatter their transfer record to sign Kenedy n 2019. But he has already shown that he can be Rafa Benitez’s difference-maker so the £30 million fee would not be a colossal risk.
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