Rafa Benitez addresses the Newcastle futures Matz Sels, Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Jack Colback

Rafa Benitez says he's told a clutch of Newcastle United players to find new clubs.
Henri Saivet.Henri Saivet.
Henri Saivet.

Benitez wants to move a number of players out of the club this summer, including Matz Sels, Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Jack Colback.

Only Sels – who spent last season on loan at Anderlecht – travelled with Benitez's squad for the club's pre-season training camp in Ireland.

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“Henri had a minor operation, which is nothing serious, and that’s the reason he’s not around," said United manager Benitez, who needs to sell to buy this summer.

"The other players, they know, because I told them I wanted to keep a smaller squad with players who will be part of the future. The others know they have to find a solution."

Benitez took five goalkeepers to Ireland, and he will need three on Tyneside for the coming Premier League campaign.

“Yeah, we have to decide," said Benitez. "Obviously, we have Freddie (Woodman), who is a young keeper, and then we have another four, so we have to manage them.

Matz Sels.Matz Sels.
Matz Sels.
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"I’ve already been talking to some of them, and it depends if we have the right offers. With each one, the situation is different. We want to have three keepers."

On midfielder Colback, Benitez added: "It’s the same situation. He’s already talking with a club (Nottingham Forest), and then I think he will find a solution."

Meanwhile, Aleksandar Mitrovic is expected to sign from Fulham when he returns from holiday.

The £20million-rated striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Craven Cottage.

Asked if the deal was close to being done, Benitez said: "Officially, I don’t know, but maybe. We will see."