Cast your mind back to yesterday, and you’ll remember we did a piece on Nabil Bentaleb and how Newcastle United may be able to get him back on the cheap.
We covered a report from Germany that explained the midfielder, who spent the second half of last season on loan at St James Park, has been told to train on his own until further notice.
Basically, Schalke are desperate to get rid of him and his wages, with their financial situation perilous, to say the least.
Thus, the player has been kicked out of the squad for the time being, presumably in an effort to push him closer to the exit door.
The situation was looking pretty prosperous for Newcastle, who, by the looks of things, could go and offer a very low price in January and get a player they wanted to sign permanently in the summer.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but in the meantime, the crisis has been ramping up at the German club.
This time there’s ‘no understandable reason’ for it, though, and naturally, everyone is a little peeved about it. None more so than his agent, Madjid Yebda, who has openly criticised the club.
“Nabil is very surprised by this suspension as he was not involved in any incidents in the last few games,” he told the website.
“He was absolutely professional from the start of the season. Last week he even agreed to an optional wage waiver to show his respect for the club and to strengthen the spirit in the team.
“We very much regret this unfair decision. We will take the time to look at the case carefully. So that his rights are respected and upheld.”
The website adds that there are ‘signs of a separation in winter’ and it’s hard not to see Newcastle looking to take advantage.
They could do with reinforcements and given the situation at Schalke, Bentaleb could be available for a pittance if they want him.
It’s hard to see the player turning down a return either, with him surely considering any chance to get out of the club, which is once again a complete mess, a good one.
