Achraf Lazaar speaks out after leaving Newcastle on loan

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Newcastle United full-back Achraf Lazaar has opened up about leaving the club on loan, and hinted his time at St. James’ Park is effectively over.

The 27-year-old joined Serie B side Cosenza Calcio in the summer, having previously had loan spells at Benevento and Sheffield Wednesday.

It’s been a rough time for Lazaar, who has made just 10 appearances for the Magpies first-team since joining from Palermo in 2016.

The Morocco international struggled to prove his quality to former manager Rafa Benitez, and new boss Steve Bruce also did not fancy him after succeeding the Spaniard.

Speaking about leaving the club temporarily to Tuttomercatoweb, Lazaar admitted: “Staying at Newcastle would have been like finishing my football career.

“I would have only been thinking of money, and my parents taught me that a career comes before money.

“Football is my life. I want to come back as big as I was before going to Newcastle.”

Lazaar described constantly sitting on the substitutes’ bench as ‘not easy, especially mentally’.

TBR’s view – Lazaar’s Newcastle days are over

The full-back’s comments essentially suggest that he knows his time at Newcastle is up. He would not speak in such a way if he felt there was still a chance of succeeding.

It simply hasn’t worked out for him and a permanent exit will likely be sorted next summer to free up some wages.

There is little to no chance of a turnaround, with Jetro Willems and Matt Ritchie two decent options for Bruce at left full-back.