Sao Paulo sporting director Carlos Belmonte has revealed Jamal Lewis could be sent back to Newcastle United in January.
When the left-back, who had signed a £13 million contract with Norwich City in 2020, went on loan to the Brazilian powerhouses, eyebrows were raised. After dropping in the hierarchy at St. James’ Park, Lewis spent the previous season at Watford.
The 26-year-old was once thought to be Newcastle’s long-term left-back, but his career has stagnated. Lewis has been an outcast on Tyneside for just 36 games over the course of four and a half years; his most recent appearance was in the May 2023 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
He was given a new challenge by Sao Paulo, but he has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury. The Brazilian team is already considering sending him back since the setback might necessitate surgery, which would terminate the season.
Belmonte, the sporting director, told UOL that the player’s contract contained a provision that permitted them to sever connections. “The position is the board’s priority in the transfer market, and Wendell from Porto is the dream,” he stated. However, Sao Paulo will be in a difficult position in the transaction if the Portuguese club wants monetary compensation.
“Jamal may not be a Sao Paulo player in the near future. He has a clause in his contract that allows us to return him if Newcastle calls him up at the beginning of the season. We have a really special bond with Newcastle.
We’re doing an evaluation because he has an ankle issue. If he needs surgery, it has already been agreed with Newcastle that he will return to England for the procedure and recuperation.
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