As it stands, Achraf Lazaar will be a Newcastle United player until the summer of 2021.
The Moroccan joined in 2016, signing a five-year deal ahead of the Magpies’ campaign in the Championship.
But while Newcastle won the title under Rafa Benitez, Lazaar’s impact was limited.
Despite being handed the number seven shirt, he barely featured throughout the season. Paul Dummett was the immovable object at left-back, with Lazaar ending the campaign with just four league appearances.
And if he wasn’t good enough for the Championship, he’d have no chance in the Premier League.
Lazaar has never played in the top flight for Newcastle, and is now on his third loan spell away from St James’ Park.
First it was Serie A and Benevento, then Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
This season Lazaar is back in Italy, playing in the second tier for Cosenza.
Sadly for the 28-year-old, things aren’t getting any better.
Lazaar has missed a lot of football due to injury, so far making just six Serie B appearances, scoring once.
And in his absence, Cosenza have struggled. They’re 18th in the league, battling to avoid relegation to the third tier of Italian football.
He’ll be back at Newcastle in the summer, and that’s when his association with the Magpies must end.
With one year left on his contract, Newcastle must get some money back on Lazaar to avoid this deal being a total disaster.
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