Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez revealed that he was yet to decide on whether to make a permanent move for any of the club’s three loan signings.
The Magpies boss shared that he was planning to sit down and think about the futures of attacker Islam Slimani, winger Kenedy and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, as well as consider the futures of players not just on loan at the club.
“We have not made a final decision about Slimani’s future – but we haven’t made a final decision about anyone’s future,” Benitez told Chronicle Live.
“We have two games to play and what we want to do is finish these games, then after we will sit down and think about all the players’ futures. Not only those players on loan, everyone who might stay or go.”
Benitez continued speaking to focus on the St James’ Park futures of his three current loanees, and claimed that he had an easy decision to make regarding Dubravka.
“With Martin’s deal, it is the easiest transfer to complete because we have the option to buy in his deal,” said Benitez.
“It’s an easy decision, because it depends on us. We know he’s a good keeper and we know how important he is for our team.
“In terms of the others, we have to wait and see what happens – both with their clubs and with us too.”
According to the Chronicle Live, Dubravka is the only one of the three loanees who the club have already agreed a fee for, with a permanent deal for the goalkeeper able to be done for £4million.
OPINION
Magpies supporters will be thrilled to hear Benitez’s update regarding Dubravka’s chances of being at St James’ Park next season. The 29-year-old may have only made 10 appearances at the club, but due to his impressive displays in his outings, he has practically already cemented himself as a key member of the first-team. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Magpies don’t sign him and go on the hunt for yet another goalkeeper. In the case of Kenedy, the left-winger has been the touch of quality the Magpies were lacking in the first half of the season. The only problem with securing his Magpies future is that he has been so superb, that he has made his signing too expensive. With Chelsea valuing the 22-year-old as being worth more than £20million, as reported by the Daily Mail, and the Magpies’ last two windows showing Mike Ashley’s unwillingness to spend, it’s unlikely a permanent deal will be struck for Kenedy. The only way the 22-year-old lights up St James’ Park next season is if the club take him on loan once again. Finally in regards to Slimani, his Newcastle career should be done. After being ruled out of the Magpies’ final three games due to receiving a suspension for violent conduct and previously struggling to feature due to injury, there’s no way Benitez can justified his signing.
