Newcastle United are reportedly open to offloading Florian Lejeune this summer.
The central defender spent the 2020/21 season on loan with Deportivo Alaves.
It was decided he would go there following his injury problems in the 2019/20 season.
The stint was a success in that Lejeune was able to play regularly.
He managed to make 34 appearances for the club, which was more than any of his Newcastle teammates.
Some have hoped Lejeune would be brought back into the fold next season.
But that doesn’t appear to be the plan, with The Athletic reporting the Magpies will hear offers.
Many feel that Lejeune – who cost the club £8.7 million back in 2017 (Sky Sports) – is Newcastle’s best defender when everyone if fully fit.
Some have been surprised to learn he could be a potential outgoing.
According to The Athletic, Steve Bruce and his coaching staff have reservations about his durability. That’s despite him playing over 3000 minutes last term.
They are said to have doubts about his ability to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.
Bruce apparently recognises Lejeune’s qualities to be a top defender.
But he has concerns about him playing in the fast-paced, heavy-duty English top-flight.
Lejeune should be kept
Surely Lejeune playing so much last season is an indication he is ready to come back into the first-team picture.
It really is difficult to understand the reasons the club are happy to offload him.
He’s proven his durability, and is arguably the best centre-half Bruce has.
Smart management of his workload would surely make him worth keeping.
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