Rafael Benitez on Achraf Lazaar’s failed loan move away from Newcastle United

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Newcastle United have loaned out Achraf Lazaar to Benevento, but things haven’t gone to plan.

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has admitted to the Chronicle that there is nothing he can do to save Achraf Lazaar from his nightmare loan spell in Italy.

Lazaar joined Serie A’s bottom club Benevento in the summer, but things have not worked out as planned.

The Newcastle full-back has played just nine times for Benevento, and has slipped right out of contention.

The Italian strugglers have recently signed Bacary Sagna, which has meant that Lazaar has barely featured in 2018.

But Benitez insists that he cannot relocate Lazaar, as it is against FIFA rules.

“I feel for him. When you go away and you think everything is fine it is hard,” the Newcastle boss said.

“He was injured for some time and that went against him. We can’t change anything now. We are aware of him but we can’t do anything.”

Newcastle had agreed to put a clause in Lazaar’s deal which would have allowed Benevento to buy him for £3 million at the end of his loan spell, but that option is highly unlikely to be taken up now.

Newcastle may now have a challenge finding another buyer for the full-back, who has not impressed since moving to St. James’ Park.

Newcastle signed Kenedy in the January transfer window, which means that Lazaar wouldn’t be playing for the Magpies, if he returned to Tyneside.