According to the Northern Echo, Steve Bruce is facing an uphill battle to keep Federico Fernandez at the club this summer.
Scott Wilson’s piece states that the NUFC boss is eager to keep the Argentine on Tyneside for ‘at least another year’, however Mike Ashley is reluctant to sanction an extension for a player approaching 33.
The report also reveals that the former Swansea skipper does NOT have a clause in his contract that allows us to automatically extend his stay by another season – something that’s believed to exist in Fabian Schar’s current deal.
With him set to be available on a free agent this summer if no new contract is agreed, The Echo claim Fernandez has received ‘strong interest from at least two clubs based on the continent’.
He’s been a reliable servant and is a player I’d be happy to see us keep for another season, however recent links to the likes of Kristoffer Ajer make you wonder if we’re keen to give our ageing back line a refresh this summer.
That said, with Schar’s future not yet clear and Florian Lejeune another player who could well be sold over the coming months now he’s entering the final year of his current deal, we may be wise to keep Fernandez at the club for one more year.
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Fede has been a good servant and a great pro for us, but I’m with the fat man on this one. Fede hasn’t been great this season & hes of an age where he really needs replacing now.
If Fede goes & the young Celtic lad comes in, that’s a good move imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bruce is a clown = he actually thinks he’s done a good job
Trouble is STM has said that this isn’t his idea of success = and it’s not the fan’s!
And that’s it = if we don’t get rid ASAP – we will end up with player’s like Hendrick and backslider Fraser!!
It just rings of another end of season where we will be linked with EVERYONE but on one in their right mind would sign for MD Charmless and a Numpty Bruce!!!
Then one week before the start of next season, Ashley will sell our best player’s and we’ll get the same awful mismanagement from Bruce
KK(Quote)