Report: Rafa Benitez to make decision about Newcastle United loanee Matz Sels

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Matz Sels is on loan at Jupiler league outfit Anderlecht from Premier League giants Newcastle United, but does he have a future at St James’ Park?

Matz Sels has acknowledged that a return to Newcastle United at the end of this season will be, in his own words, ‘difficult’, The Chronicle reports.

The Belgian international became the most expensive shot-stopper in Newcastle’s history when they paid £5 million to sign him from Gent in the summer of 2016. But after a couple of shaky displays in his first few months in England, manager Rafa Benitez replaced him with Karl Darlow after just nine appearances and Sels never made a league appearance for the Magpies again.

Fortunately, things are going far better back in Belgium. Sels returned via a loan spell with reigning Jupiler League champions Anderlecht and, after a shaky start, has found his best form in the last few months.

DH reported last month that Anderlecht were keen to keep Sels on a permanent basis, though this is easier said than done as the 26-year-old would not come cheap with Newcastle keen to recoup as much of their £5 million investment as possible.

And according to Het Nieuwsblad (1^st March, page 3), Benitez will soon make a decision about whether or not Sels has a future on Tyneside.

On paper, this would appear to be a straightforward call. Newcastle are expected to make Martin Dubravka’s loan deal from Sparta Prague permanent for £5.2 million, per the Mirror, and there are high hopes for youngster Freddie Woodman while Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow have impressed at times this season.

But Sels’ fantastic performances between the sticks for Anderlecht should remind Benitez why he signed him – and make that decision slightly more difficult.