Newcastle United full-back Achraf Lazaar has disclosed that the Magpies did not want him to depart on loan and he’s planning for a future at St. James Park. The Moroccan international put pen to paper on a deal with Newcastle United in the summer of 2016.
The full-back arrived from Italian club Palermo but has failed to impress in Tyneside and has since been sent back to Italy on a season-long loan with Seria A minnows Benevento. The Toon Army may have forgotten about him after the defender just appeared in 9 league matches for Newcastle last season with all of his appearances coming off the bench. However, after his departure from Tyneside, the defender has surprisingly disclosed that the club was reluctant to let him go out on loan in the summer.
A recent report claims that the left-back still keeps tabs with the Magpies boss Rafael Benitez and the rest of his Newcastle United team-mates courtesy of group chats through social media following his departure on loan from Tyneside. The Moroccan has also stated that there is no deal in place for his loan spell to turn into a permanent transfer with the defender already having signed a five-year contract at the Premier League club in 2016.
In a recent interview, the 25-year-old said, “I let them understand that I really cared about playing more minutes. That was what I missed very much.
“This is why I decided to come back on loan to Italy. I wanted to find again the Lazaar I was, in the league where I was born, in order to come back to Newcastle much stronger than before.
“I have a wonderful relationship with the guys at Newcastle, we have a group on WhatsApp.
“I receive many messages for every match I play from Rafa Benitez and it really gives me pleasure.
“I appreciate him so much, he is a great manager who has won a lot.”
Lazaar has made 10 appearances for Benevento this season and has scored a goal for the Italian club so far. Newcastle are currently struggling defensively in the Premier League that has seen them ship in 26 goals in 17 matches. They are in serious danger to be dragged into the relegation dogfight and are in need of reinforcements in January. Lazaar might be a handy addition to their squad going into the future but he’s definitely not a current solution with the defender returning back from his loan spell in the summer.
It remains to be seen whether the Tyneside club plans to keep him in their ranks next season.
