Newcastle United defender Achraf Lazaar opens up on his future after Sheffield Wednesday loan

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Newcastle United forgotten man Achraf Lazaar has been discussing his future with the Italian media. In an interview with Calciomercato, Lazaar revealed he will be starting pre-season training with Newcastle and that is his only focus for now.

The 27-year-old has struggled ever since he made the move from Palermo to Newcastle in 2016. With just 10 appearances in three seasons, Lazaar is clearly not wanted at St James’ Park. His last game came in the EFL Cup back in August 2017.

He has had two loan spells away from Newcastle. In 2017, he returned to Italy and joined Benevento on loan, playing nine games. And last January, he moved on loan again.

Lazaar joined Sheffield Wednesday in January 2019 until the end of the season. And the Morocco international became a hit at Hillsborough despite only playing four games because of injury.

Doubt continues to surround Lazaar’s future this summer. He told Calciomercato (as translated via Sport Witness): “I have finished the holidays, now I go back to Newcastle.

“In the coming days, I will start training for the new season. Will I go back to Italy? Now there is nothing, I think only of Newcastle. Genoa? There was a concrete interest but in the past.”

What next for Achraf Lazaar?

Despite Lazaar’s insistence on trying his luck at Newcastle, his future in the North East looks bleak – unless the new manager sees something that Rafa Benitez didn’t.

The attack-minded left-back will have offers from Italy, which might be a sensible move for him. Alternatively, a return to Sheffield Wednesday – at the right price – is something that cannot be ruled out.