Eddie Howe has revealed that a new deal for Joelinton is top of his priority list at Newcastle United.
Following reports that contract talks had stalled as the Brazilian approaches the final 12 months of his current contract on Tyneside, Howe told the press this morning that it’s an “absolute priority” to keep him at the club.
He sees the 27-year-old as a “hugely important” and unique player that we’ve missed sorely in recent weeks, hailing his physicality, ability to win duels and his competitive edge.
Asked about future talks, he revealed that Darren Eales, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi will handle negotiations now Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave.
“That’s always been in my mind as an absolute priority to try and get him to stay at the club long-term. I see that as hugely important”, Howe said.
“We’ve missed him. Especially his physicality and ability in duels and from set plays. We’re lucky to have a midfielder as big and as competitive as he is. He is a very unusual midfielder; you don’t get many like him.
Howe was then asked who will handle contract talks in Ashworth’s absence, saying: “I think it’ll be a mixture of Darren Eales and probably Amanda and Mehrdad.”
