As reported by the Chronicle, Newcastle United will be without the services of defender Florian Lejeune, who will be joining Alaves on a permanent basis.

The French center-back spent last season on loan in Spain, making 34 games in La Liga and leading his team to a draw and a win over Barcelona and Real Madrid in the first part of the season.

Lejeune’s contract at Newcastle is up in a year, and Magpies manager Steve Bruce could have tried to keep him.

The 30-year-old, on the other hand, is leaving Newcastle to join Alaves on a permanent basis this summer.

He helped Alaves finish 16th in La Liga and will be trying to help the team have a more successful season in the following season.

Lejeune joined Newcastle during Rafael Benitez’s tenure as manager in the summer of 2017.

During his stint with the Magpies, he has made 46 appearances and scored two goals........