According to The Athletic, Newcastle are struggling to offload Henri Saivet before the close of the transfer window next week.

What's the word?

Despite sealing a string of impressive signings in Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis respectively, the Magpies haven't enjoyed the kind of hot start they would have wanted this season.

Steve Bruce's side have picked up one win, one draw and one defeat from their opening three Premier League games, but were incredibly fortunate to come away with a point in their last clash against Tottenham thanks to a controversial VAR decision.

Now, The Athletic claim that the Magpies are having troubles getting rid of some of the deadwood in their squad, including Saivet, with Chris Waugh suggesting that he will spend the first half of the campaign on Tyneside, but with his name off the official Premier League squad list.

The ultimate Mike Ashley disaster

Costing a reported £5m when they first signed him from French side Bordeaux, Newcastle may have been forgiven for thinking they had clinched a midfield star in the mould of Yohan Cabaye.

Speaking at the announcement of his arrival, then Newcastle boss Steve McClaren said: "Henri is someone the Club have been watching for a while, and he has developed into an excellent player at Bordeaux. This is someone with a very good mentality, who is a tough player and a winner. Those are key qualities you need in the Premier League and we are looking forward to seeing him pulling on the Newcastle United shirt."

But since then, it's been nothing short of a major disaster for the Tyneside club. As well as his transfer fee, Newcastle having to pick up his full £32k-a-week wages for more than four years, has meant it has cost Bruce's side around £12.8m in total.

In return, he has made just eight first-team appearances, scoring one goal and providing no assists - he hasn't even taken to the field at St James' Park since the 2017/2018 season.

The Magpies' forgotten man is the ultimate symbol of Mike Ashley's reign in recent years. Wasting big money off the pitch, and absolutely nothing on it.

And in other news, this Newcastle flop was the BIGGEST reason behind their embarrassing Carabao Cup performance at Newport.