Newcastle United are reportedly set to allow young attacker Juanito to depart St James’ Park this summer as the club’s retained list is set be announced, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper report that Juanito could be set to be released at the end of the campaign, with the Spaniard who has made 11 appearances for Newcastle’s U23 team this season, likely to be allowed to leave the club as Benitez reshapes the Magpies first team and reserve team squads.
Juanito is thought to be set to join fellow Newcastle youngster Cal Roberts in leaving the club this summer, with the forward said to be interesting Greek side Panathinaikos.
OPINION
This is going to be a very interesting summer for Newcastle, with the future of Benitez still to be undecided as the Spaniard searches for guarantees over his ability to invest in his squad. In order for Newcastle to strengthen their squad this summer they may need to release some players so that can have the wages available for other additions. That means that potentially some of Newcastle’s academy players could be set to be released, which will be a personal blow for them as they look to establish their careers at senior level. However, it is likely that Juanito will need to secure a move elsewhere this summer, and the young forward is likely to attract interest from other clubs given his potential for the future. Newcastle fans will be hoping Benitez stays and can use the wages of the players released to strengthen his squad, but will also hope that they have not made a mistake in allowing promising young players such as Juanito to leave St James’ Park and join another club during the summer. The 19-yr-old would be an interesting addition to any side who manages to secure his signature, and the forward will be hoping he can prove Newcastle were wrong to allow him to leave the club.
