Henri Saivet faces an uncertain future at Newcastle United after struggling on loan at St Etienne – Swansea City may have had a lucky escape.
After just four appearances in the colours of Newcastle United, manager Rafael Benitez had seen enough. Six months after arriving on Tyneside from Bordeaux in January 2015, £4.5 million midfielder Henri Saivet was shipped off back to France.
Though, according to The Chronicle, that does not mean Benitez is rid of him for good. The 26-year-old came to attention in England with two impressive performances against Liverpool in last season’s Europa League, netting an indirect free-kick at Anfield, but he has struggled to show his worth on loan at St Etienne in 2016/17.
As such, The Chronicle reports that Les Verts will not take up the option to turn his deal into a permanent one at the end of the season. Only recently the club’s president, Roland Romeyer, insisted that he had expected more from the deep-lying playmaker when he signed him in the summer.
Therefore, Benitez will once again have to devote time and energy into clearing up the mess left behind by previous regimes. Saivet is unlikely to have a future at Newcastle as long as the Spaniard is in charge, meaning Benitez must find a home for the midfielder in the summer.
But could he be offered a Premier League lifeline?
According to Wales Online, Swansea City were heavily linked with the then-Bordeaux captain just a few months before he moved to St James’ Park in winter last year. The midfielder certainly appeared to fit the bill with his efficient distribution and composure in possession.
Even now, a player with Saivet’s skillset could enhance a neat, tidy Swans midfield.
Yet, his inability to adapt at Newcastle will surely make Swansea think twice before potentially renewing their interest. So who knows where Saivet will resurface next.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
