Unwanted duo Achraf Lazaar and Henri Saivet are edging closer to the Newcastle United exit door.
Achraf Lazaar
Rafa Benitez has told the pair’s representatives that neither are part of his first-team plans and they must find new clubs.
Although the Premier League transfer window closed last Thursday, most markets around Europe are open until the end of the month - while EFL clubs can also loan players until August 31.
As a result, Newcastle have been actively offering the likes of Lazaar and Saivet to clubs across the Continent in the hope they can offload two big earners who are surplus to requirements.
Henri Saivet
According to reports in Turkey, Senegal midfielder Saivet is in advanced negotiations with Bursaspor about joining the Super Lig outfit.
In fact, Turkishfootball.com claims the 27-year-old has already undergone a medical and agreed personal terms over a permanent deal.
Saivet spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow Turkish outfit Sivasspor and, having made only one league appearance for United over the course of the past two campaigns, he is not considered part of Benitez’s first-team plans.
Meanwhile, Magpies flop Lazaar is reportedly closing in on a return to Serie A - despite struggling in Italy at relegated Benevento last season, where he was left out of the squad for the second half of the campaign.
According to Gianluca di Marzio - an Italian journalist who runs a transfer website in his own name - Genoa are looking to sell left-back Diego Laxalt to AC Milan, and have “identified” Lazaar as a potential replacement.