Newcastle sent multiple players out on loan this season, with varying degrees of success.
Six players will return to the club this summer, but what should the future hold for them?
Dwight Gayle
The striker had a brilliant season on loan at West Brom, ending the campaign with 24 goals. Unfortunately, the Baggies fell victim to the playoffs.
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There’ll be no permanent move for Gayle to West Brom, but there is already interest from elsewhere. Fulham have reportedly lined him up as a target, as they look to win promotion back to the top flight.
While he’s had a good season, Newcastle should cash in on Gayle. Costing £10million in 2016, we should be able to make a profit.
Jacob Murphy
Murphy was also at West Brom, but wasn’t quite as successful.
The winger once again looked shot of all confidence, and his future is unclear.
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Murphy should get a chance in pre-season though. With limited options out wide, the £12million man has a chance to prove to Rafa Benitez that he doesn’t need to invest big in a winger.
This summer will surely be last chance saloon for Murphy.
Rolando Aarons
Benitez clearly doesn’t fancy Aarons. The speedster departed on deadline day in January, heading to Sheffield Wednesday.
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Aarons did alright back in the Championship, and appeared to turn a few heads with his performances.
There’s no future for him at Newcastle, so we need to find a buyer rather than loan him out again.
Achraf Lazaar
The defender also went to Sheffield Wednesday in January, and surprised everyone by playing pretty well when he actually got on the pitch. That’s something he never did at Newcastle.
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Lazaar is probably Benitez’s worst signing as Newcastle boss and has to be sold this summer.
Henri Saivet
You forgot about him, didn’t you? Yes, Henri Saivet is still on the books at Newcastle.
The midfielder will be back at the club in the summer, with his deal running until 2021. We can’t loan him out again. Benitez clearly doesn’t want to play him. Surely there must be a team out there who can take him off our hands permanently!
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I’ll never forget that goal he scored against West Ham…
Jack Colback
This should be the most straightforward. Colback has been excellent at Nottingham Forest. Martin O’Neill will want him back. Newcastle will want to sell him.
In a perfect world, Colback will be a permanent Forest player next season. They get the player they want and we get a little bit of cash. Everyone wins.
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