Newcastle United have given up on keeping on-loan Chelsea winger Kenedy.

The Evening Chronicle says manager Rafa Benitez's scouting team have been following wide players across Europe during the second half of this season, and it is understood that Newcastle will likely focus their attention on signing alternative wingers this summer, rather than pursue a permanent deal for Kenedy.

In 23 appearances this term, the Brazilian has scored only one goal and provided a solitary assist - and he has not started a Premier League game since Boxing Day.

Benitez's decision to switch to a 3-4-3 formation has contributed to Kenedy's repeated omissions, but so too has his failure to impress his manager during training, as well as by off-field problems which have afflicted his campaign from the very start.