Report: £38k-a-week Newcastle man’s exit is imminent, Steve Bruce is delighted

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Newcastle United are set to send Florian Lejeune back to Alaves on loan, with a deal for the French centre-back only missing official confirmation, according to AS.

Lejeune spent last season on loan at the La Liga outfit and was a mainstay of the Babazorros backline. The 30-year-old started all 34 of his league appearances, and only missed one fixture following the appointment of Javi Calleja through suspension.

Alaves now want to take Lejeune back for a second season after marking the Newcastle man as their top target. The Mendizorrotza Stadium natives have stepped up their pursuit of the defender after seeing plans to extend Rodrigo Ely’s contract fizzle out.

Alaves have been unable to agree terms with Ely and will retract their previous offer if Lejeune returns from Newcastle. A deal for the £38,000-per-week enforcer is effectively done, as well, with only the official confirmation missing.

Newcastle will send Lejeune back to Alaves on loan for a second season running. But a permanent move cannot be ruled out, providing the Toon accept a cheap fee for the former U20 international.

The Frenchman is also out of contract at St James’ Park next year, potentially helping Alaves draw a low fee. Lejeune would be the first-choice partner to Victor Laguardia if he does return to the Mendizorrotza Stadium. Ending Ely’s chances of earning a new deal.

Bruce happy for Lejeune to leave Newcastle for Alaves

Steve Bruce is happy for Lejeune to leave Newcastle this summer and re-join Alaves. The Toon boss stated after last weekend’s friendly with York that the defender was on his way out. He also praised the transfer as it will help boost his available budget this summer.

“Florian is on his way to Spain,” Bruce said, via Chronicle Live. “It looks as if something is going to happen there. It will put a few quid in the coffers.”

His comments, added with AS’ report, would suggest Newcastle have accepted a low fee to offload Lejeune to Alaves permanently. Yet while it will not boost Bruce’s budget by much, he will clear a sizable part of the Toon’s wage bill. And Bruce is clearly glad to have some extra funds available, no matter how small.