Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on a loan deal for Chelsea winger Kenedy.
The Magpies have taken a while to get going in the summer transfer window. Martin Dubravka’s loan was converted into a permanent deal in May, but it was a significant wait before Newcastle got their second signing through the door, with Ki Sung-yeung arriving on a free transfer following his exit from Swansea City.
But it appears that signing number three is just around the corner for the Toon Army, with the Chronicle reporting that Kenedy is set to secure his return for a second loan imminently. And while Benitez insisted that the move was not complete, he did admit that he was extremely pleased that the deal is close.
“It is great news for us. It is still not done but it is very close to happening,” he said, as reported by the Chronicle. “He is a player with quality. You talk about Brazilian players they have quality.
“He is a nice lad and working hard for the team. So I think it is quite positive for the lads in the dressing room.”
Getting Kenedy back is arguably a really fantastic statement from Newcastle. His form during the second-half of last season would have led many to believe that he may have done enough to force his way into Chelsea’s plans or perhaps earn a permanent move.
Newcastle would have surely loved to land him permanently, but if Benitez is working with a tight budget, a loan deal has the potential to make the Brazilian the Magpies’ best signing of the summer given that the budget will not have been depleted too much because of his arrival.
And if Benitez can get the young winger to show the kind of form that Newcastle fans saw regularly last season, then it could quickly prove to be an absolutely inspired deal from the Magpies.
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