Newcastle United hold 'no interest' in taking up the option to sign Santiago Munoz on a permanent transfer. That is according to reports in Mexico, with the young forward set to return to Santos Laguna at the end of the year.
Newcastle signed Munoz on an initial 18-month loan deal from the Mexican top-flight side in August last year. The striker had been capped at under-17 and under-23 levels, and the deal drew inevitable comparisons to his namesake in the 2005 film Goal!.
However, Munoz has struggled to make an impact on Tyneside and is now seemingly resigned to heading back to Santos Laguna. The 20-year-old had hoped to remain in Europe, but Mexican outlet Futbol Total claim the prospect looks 'slim'.
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The title go so far as to claim Munoz's parent club 'expect' him to report for the start of pre-season training on November 22. Newcastle U21s have just two Premier League 2 fixtures remaining before the World Cup break, and the striker is currently sidelined with an injury.
When asked about the striker's absence from the home victory over Southampton under-21s on Sunday, U21 boss Elliott Dickman told ChronicleLive: "He's had an issue with his groin.
"We've rectified that, so I think it will be in the next few weeks before we get Santi back. He's in good hands with the medical staff, and in the near future he'll be back with the group."
Munoz's start to life at Newcastle was derailed by a hamstring injury suffered shortly after signing. The striker would go on to net a hat-trick on his St James' Park debut in a comeback victory over West Brom under-23s in March.
Munoz was one of four academy prospects to join the first-team during their pre-season preparations in Portugal. Eddie Howe handed the loanee his senior bow at as a late replacement for Callum Wilson in the friendly victory over Athletic Bilbao in July.
However, Munoz has not since scored for the second-string this term and has made just four appearances. Judging by the latest report, a cameo in the four-goal thrashing of Derby County U21s last month could prove to be the striker's final appearance in black-and-white.
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