The French playmaker has made only 10 league starts in 12 months and looks certain to return to Newcastle United sooner rather than later.
Newcastle United may be on the lookout for a central midfielder this month but this is not what they had in mind.
Henri Saivet arrived at St James’ Park in January last year purporting to add an element of class and control to an underperforming midfield but 12 months later, via a change in management and an unsuccessful loan spell, the Frenchman could be making his way back to Tyneside with his tail between his legs.
Rafa Benitez wasted no time in ushering the £4.5 million man back to his homeland after just half a season on English shores, according to The Chronicle, but a six month stay with St Etienne has hardly rejuvenated a stalling career.
Instead the 26-year-old, formerly the beating heart of a Bordeaux midfield, has toiled badly with Les Verts, starting only 8 Ligue 1 games this season. For the record, that’s still six more than he managed in Newcastle colours.
And the club’s president, Roland Romeyer, admitted in a Q&A with the club’s supporters; “It was thought that Saivet, who was a great player at Bordeaux, would bring us more,” The Chronicle reports.
As such, speculation has intensified that his season-long loan deal could be cut in half, meaning a swift return to Tyneside beckons.
Supporters will be hoping he can win over the clearly unimpressed Benitez and become the creative playmaker Newcastle’s midfield so clearly lacks in Jonjo Shelvey’s absence.
However, even the most optimistic fan would admit that appears unlikely.
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