Rafael Benitez continues to re-shape Newcastle United’s squad with Massadio Haidara set to be the latest victim of his reshuffle.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
Since Rafael Benitez was parachuted into St James’ Park in March last year, the majority of the club’s longest serving players have been forced out of the door.
And, according to The Chronicle, Massadio Haidara could follow the out-of-contract duo Yoan Gouffran and Vurnon Anita in having his long association with The Magpies brought to an end this summer.
The left-back appeared to have a bright future on Tyneside when he became the fourth player to join the club’s Francophile revolution in January 2013 but, four and a half years on, he has become the club’s forgotten man.
Massadio Haidara
Still only 24, the former Nancy left-back has been dogged by injuries in recent seasons, restricting him to just eight league appearances since the start of 2015/16.
And despite the fact that ill-fitting Moroccan international Achraf Lazaar looks certain to escape from his Newcastle hell 12 months after arriving from Palermo, it appears that Benitez is willing to dispense with another of his left-backs.
Like Haidara, Achraf Lazaar didn’t start a league game in 2016/17
The former France Under-21 international still has a year remaining on his contract at Newcastle but it appears that a fresh start suits all parties.
After missing well over a year with a knee injury, Haidara returned to fitness in January but made just one Championship appearance under Benitez, coming off the bench in May’s victory against Barnsley.
Newcastle have been linked with a number of left-backs in recent weeks, the most recent being Mexican international Miguel Layun of Porto. And Haidara’s exit is likely to ramp up the recruitment drive.
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