- Kenedy is on the brink of joining Newcastle from Chelsea on loan
- Brazilian signed for Blues two years ago from Fluminense for £6million
- Rafa Benitez is long-time admirer of winger who is out of favour at Chelsea
- Emergence of Marcos Alonso has restricted his involvement at Stamford Bridge
Newcastle are set to secure the loan signing of Chelsea winger Kenedy in the next 24 hours.
Sportsmail revealed in December that a deal for the 21-year-old was in place and Magpies manager Rafa Benitez was waiting for the green light from Stamford Bridge.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is now closing in on the signing of Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri, meaning Kenedy is free to join Newcastle, who will pay a loan fee. The Brazilian arrived on Tyneside on Monday evening.
Kenedy arriving at Newcastle train station ahead of his mooted loan move to the north east
Kenedy is set to join Newcastle from Chelsea on loan within the next 24 hours
The addition will be a welcome boost for Benitez – a long-time admirer of the Brazilian – as he targets at least three new faces before the end of the month.
Kenedy joined Chelsea from Fluminense two years ago in a deal worth around £6million.
The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order at the Blues and wants game time
He appeared 20 times in his first season under first Jose Mourinho and then Guus Hiddink, scoring the fastest goal of the campaign after just 39 seconds in a 2-1 win at Norwich.
But the emergence of Marcos Alonso has restricted his involvement.
He has made just five appearances this season, impressing most recently in last week’s FA Cup victory over Norwich.
Rafa Benitez is a long-time admirer of the Brazilian and looks set to get his man