Reading through the thread and I don't understand how people are baffled by the loan or criticising the club for it. It's easy to understand.
1) He's been absolutely gash for ages, meaning no club is (reasonably) going to spend the type of cash we'd want for him in the current economic climate. As such, going on loan to a team where he may perform for the next 5/6 months rather than sitting on the bench makes perfect sense as it gives him an opportunity to sell himself.
2) which club do you think is actually going to spend the cash on him at present? Barca are skint, Real/Bayern/PSG etc aren't interested, Juve are acting like paupers wanting to take him on loan, and any other club will simply put in low-ball offers. Who exactly are we meant to sell him to?