Brazilian starlet Kenedy has reportedly found himself at the centre of a tug-of-war between Europe’s elite – but Newcastle should still throw their hat in the ring.
According to reports, Bayern Munich and PSG are enquiring as to the long-term availability of the Chelsea winger after flourishing during his loan spell on Tyneside. Since arriving, the former Watford loanee has had an instantaneous impact – with the club buoyed by his verve and invention, losing just two league games in 2018.
Of course, Kenedy is going to be attracted by the bright lights of Paris and the lure of the Bavarians, but his agent should be instructing him to steer clear unless he wants to remain an ornamental figurine in the stands each week.
After rusting at Stamford Bridge due to a lack of game time, Kenedy won’t find pathways to the first-team any smoother at two clubs jostling for Europe’s biggest prize. The likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Douglas Costa, Jese Rodriguez and Serge Gnabry can testify to that.
A successive loan spell on Tyneside, at a club where the fans have taken the boy to their hearts, would be far more beneficial for Kenedy if he has serious ambitions about making it as a top-class footballer. A return to Chelsea is inevitable, but Rafa Benitez should seek to coax the 22-year-old into a full season at the club first.