Massadio Haidara will be allowed to leave Newcastle on a free this summer, with a move to Saint-Etienne seemingly imminent, L’Equipe reports.
The 24-year-old has endured a dismal time in England, blighted by serious injury, and a return to Ligue 1 is now on the cards, with the Magpies releasing the full-back of the final year of his contract.
As part of the agreement the Premier League side will receive 50% of any sell on fee, with a medical all the stands in the way of a move to Sainte after the Senegalese arrived in France over the weekend.
A move would bring an end to a torrid time on the North East, with Haidara appearing just once under Rafa Benitez in the Championship last season, and starting just 23 league matches in total over four and a half seasons at Newcastle.
The left-back is also expected to be joined at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard by compatriot and Empoli midfielder Assane Diousse after the French outfit agreed a fee in the region of €5m for the teenager.
The 19-year-old started 26 of 33 Serie A appearances last season and boasted the best pass accuracy (86.4%) for the relegated Italian side.
