French club Saint-Etienne are looking to close a deal for Newcastle United's Henri Saivet.

France Football reports that the Ligue 1 outfit want the 25-year-old back in France just seven months after he left Bordeaux for St James' Park.

Saivet joined the Magpies for £5million in January this year but played only four times for Steve McClaren and has not yet featured for Rafa Benitez.

It is understood that Benitez is prepared to let Saivet leave the north east and a loan deal with the option to buy is likely to be confirmed by the end of the week.