As highlighted by the Chronicle, there are currently SIX Newcastle United players who’ll leave the club on a free next summer as things stand.
Ki Sung-yeung, Federico Ferandez, Javier Manquillo, Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and Jack Colback are all in the final year of their contracts at St James’ Park, while Andy Carroll’s current deal also expires next summer.
Carroll may well be offered a new deal should he continue to prove his fitness to Steve Bruce, while we also have an option to make Jetro Willems’ loan move permanent next summer, however it seems this could be the last season at the club for several of the above squad players.
On a more positive note, The Chronicle have also confirmed that talks are progressing over extensions for Martin Dubravka and Isaac Hayden.
Meanwhile, they claim that Sean Longstaff is also ‘in line’ for a new deal that reflects rise from U-23 level to first-team regular – despite the Daily Mail’s claims that those talks are ‘not progressing well’.
Mark Douglas also reports that there’s a ‘degree of urgency’ surrounding Matty Longstaff, with the 19-year-old’s current deal expiring next summer, however he’s said to be keen to stay and looks set to be offered a new five-year-deal to reward his breakthrough into Steve Bruce’s senior set up.
So, there’s several fringe players who look likely to roll down their contract if nothing changes over the coming months, however it’s good to see the club make moves to tie down some of our star players – both at youth and senior level.
Personally, I believe the likes of Federico Fernandez is a reliable option to have in reserve, with him often doing a brilliant job when called upon, however a 30-year-old reaching the twilight years of his career is only going to sit on the bench for so long.
There’s a few who won’t be missed, however. Jack Colback has needed a permanent move away for a while now, so both fans and the club will breath a sigh of relief when he’s finally off our books next summer – especially when he’s said to earn £45,000 per week.
I’m not a gambling man, but anyone into English Premier League betting won’t be backing the likes of Ki or Elliot to earn new deals over the next few months. The former now appears to be our FITH choice midfielder following Matty Longstaff’s emergence and isn’t getting any younger, while the latter hasn’t played for the club since 2017 – and turns 34 next year.
As for Manquillo and Darlow, they’re two handy squad players, but with us having recently signed Krafth and Woodman impressing on loan at Swansea, I don’t see either being a part of Steve Bruce’s plans moving forward.
Our squad is thin in areas, but I think it’s fair to say the majority of these soon-to-be out of contract players won’t be missed, with their potential exits also freeing up space in the squad and cash for the wage bill.
