OPINION
Newcastle United youngster Rolando Aarons has had a tough year as injury and off-field problems have seen his progress come to a complete standstill.
The winger was handed a suspended sentence after admitted affray last year, with a failed spell at Serie A side Hellas Verona following.
Instead of knuckling down and managing to impress Rafa Benitez this summer, Aarons is now expected to head out on another loan spell before Friday’s EFL and European deadline.
There have been several clubs linked with a swoop, and Ligue 1 side Caen have become the latest to enter the race for his signature, as reported by Foot Mercato.
Other teams rumoured to be interested include Championship side Hull City and Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, with there sure to be other suitors not yet revealed in the press.
And, despite the attraction of moving abroad for a fresh start, a switch to Caen would not be the right move for the wing wizard at this moment, and Newcastle must reject the French sides advances.
His failure to make an impact at Verona last season suggests that Aarons was not ready for the tests that come with a move abroad, and to make such a leap again looks to be a reckless decision that could damage his career.
Caen are set for a tough campaign ahead in Ligue 1, and Aarons would have to adapt quickly or risk another few months left on the bench in a foreign environment.
A more sensible decision would be to keep Aarons closer to home and loan him out to a Championship side, with such a move allowing Newcastle to keep a closer eye on his development.
A stay in England will also give Aarons the best chance of settling in quickly and also the best chance of developing his game in the right way to make an impact for the Magpies in the future.
The club must now do all they can to prevent a move to Caen happening, and push instead for a switch closer to home, which is in both their and the player’s best interests.
