Newcastle United will listen to offers in the region of £5million for midfielder Henri Saivet this January, according to the Mirror.
The Magpies have a wealth of options in central midfield – and Jack Colback is also available – but it comes as a slight surprise that Saivet is set to move on after impressing in the first team.
The Senegal international’s first Premier League start under Rafa Benitez was a roaring success at West Ham United as he recovered from an early error to score and star in a crucial win.
But it seems that Saivet is a victim of the form of compatriot Mohamed Diame, another midfield man who netted in that game.
Diame flattered to deceive too often in the Championship last season and his Newcastle career initially continued in much the same vein this term as he became the fans’ scapegoat during an autumnal run of defeats.
That rocky relationship between player and supporters came to a head when Diame was jeered from the field against Everton in mid-December, but the 30-year-old’s turnaround since that night has been remarkable.
The former Hull City man struck a superb goal against West Ham and then, as Saivet sat out, impressed in the defeat to Manchester City and again in the victory at Stoke City with a pair of combative displays.
Diame still may not be the most technically able player in the Newcastle squad, but he has proven his worth in recent weeks and now looks set to at least see out the remainder of the campaign at St James’ Park as Saivet heads for the exit.