No permanent deal clause to keep Brazilian on Tyneside
NO TALKS OVER WINGER’S TOON FUTURE JUST YET
NEWCASTLE United do not have a buyout arrangement in place to make Kenedy’s move to St James’ Park permanent.
The Brazil under-23 international has not yet made his future plans clear to Rafa Benitez or the club, having only recently arrived on Tyneside.
The left-sided player netted twice in United’s 3-0 win over Southampton at the weekend to keep Benitez’s side on track for survival.
Yet after the game, the Magpies’ boss admitted he had “no idea” if the Chelsea player could remain on Tyneside beyond the current campaign.
The Blues were eager for the winger to have game-time under his belt after a disappointing loan spell with Watford last season.
His lack of match practice has been an issue at Newcastle but he has been effective in the six starts he has made for United so far.
Kenedy has only tasted defeat once during his time at United to date – the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool – but now fans wonder whether his loan deal will be converted into a permanent move. Chelsea paid just £7.2million for his services from Fluminense in 2015 and he has two years left on his current deal. The Blues are unlikely to be able to guarantee him first-team football again next season. With Chelsea’s managerial situation up in the air – current boss Antonio Conte appears set to leave in the summer – the player faces talks with his agent over his future. Kenedy did not speak on his way out of St James’ Park on Saturday as he has not yet mastered English. Benitez will park all transfer talk until he knows whether United are secure in the Premier League or not but the Toon boss has good contacts at Chelsea after his stint in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2013.
Some Blues fans may not like Benitez but he clinched a £6.7million deal for Christian Atsu last summer after a previous loan deal.
Whether the Blues would demand a big fee for Kenedy remains to be seen but popular website Transfermarkt. co.uk currently values the talented Brazilian at £6.3million.
Kenedy is yet to indicate whether he wants to make the move north permanently or return to London to fight for his place.
Kenedy is yet to indicate whether he wants to make the move north permanently or return to London