Eddie Howe hands contract incentive to six Mags in danger of summer exit

During this week’s press conference at the club's Benton training base, Eddie Howe was asked about the futures of our soon-to-be out of contract players.

As things stand, five will see their current deals expire at the end of June - Jamaal Lascelles, Loris Karius, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie and Mark Gillespie - while Callum Wilson is approaching the final 12 months of his contract and has been tipped to depart this summer.

Asked if any decisions had been made, Howe said "absolutely not", claiming every single player in our current squad still has an opportunity to remain in his plans for the 2024/25, offering a contract incentive to those in need of a renewal.

Howe added that talks will take place, if they haven't already, saying: "I wouldn’t speak on every individual player. But conversations will be happening, and possibly have even already happened regarding those individual players.

"Everybody that’s in our squad now has an opportunity to remain in our squad next year, regardless of their contract situation.

"Have we already made a decision on anyone, and decided they won’t be offered a new deal? Absolutely not."

Personally, I'd be shocked if the likes of Ritchie or Dummett were given another deal. They are clearly huge characters behind the scenes and they deserve real respect for that, but we can't afford to keep too many non-playing leaders in our 25-man squad ahead of vital summer for the club.

As for Wilson, it could make sense to cash in while we can this summer. He's just turned 32 and his injury issues have shown no sign of clearing up, coupled with the fact we are likely to sign another striker to compete with Alexander Isak. For all parties, it could make sense for him to move on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTuuONAyLD8&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited