Newcastle United are moving on without Alexander Isak, finally pressing ahead after a dark cloud that’s hung over the club for 40 days has disappeared for good.
However, one thing Newcastle can learn from that five-week saga is our management of contract situations and protecting against a similar situation unfolding in the future.
There was nothing alarmingly wrong with Isak’s deal – he was a top earner and still had three years left to run – but it showed how quickly a player can become unsettled and push for a move if they feel something isn’t right.
On that note, it’s emerged from The iPaper’s Mark Douglas that Newcastle are in talks with Tino Livramento over a bumper new deal following summer interest from Man City, while Sandro Tonali and Sven Botman are next in line.
Livramento, 22, is now a full England international and one of the top talents in the Premier League. His deal doesn’t run out until the summer of 2028, but rewarding his superb form and impressive rise makes sense as Man City circle.
Equally, Newcastle’s ‘interest’ in discussing a new improved deal for Tonali also makes sense now the 25-year-old Italian is considered one of the top midfielders in Europe.
As for Botman, he may need to prove his fitness levels are on the up this season after a tough 18 months, but he remains one of our top assets and has entered the final two years of his deal, which is due to expire in 2027.
Fail to agree new terms soon and you risk a Marc Guehi situation, where the player approaches the final 12 months of his contract and risks leaving on a cut-price fee or as a free agent.
Newcastle aren’t close to that situation now, but it’s wise to see the club get to work on these deals early.
I would hold off on talks with Botman until January at least, let’s see how he fares.
Is he just getting back to fitness following his long lay off or is there an underlying medical issue (like Woodgate)?
I really hope it’s the former because he’s a brilliant player when fit.
Johnny Mac(Quote)
goes without saying that Tino and Tonali should be offered new contracts. If they aren’t happy to sign we know where we stand before it becomes too problematic.
Johnny Mac(Quote)
Newcastle needs to start keeping an optional extra year in most contracts that can be triggered only by the club (as opposed to by certain no. of appearances etc) like Brentford had with Wissa & Mbuemo (& we did with Wilson – signed under Ashley’s regime). Not only does it help protect player value but in case you need to delay renewing by a bit to be sure of something – like Botman’s longer term durability – it doesn’t put you in a tough spot. Miley’s also in line for his first senior pro contract. The wages situation will become even tighter (wrt UEFA regulations) despite Isak leaving. Imagine how much harder that would’ve been if he’d stayed & on a bumper new contract.
P(Quote)
At times I do suspect the local ‘journos’ tracking the club pick up stuff from NUFC fan sites/ social media for their articles as much as from club ‘sources’. Its like how ‘B’ grade movies pick up plot/scene parts from a dozen popular/successful movies & mash them up on a low budget to produce what passes for a movie (hope they’re all reading this).
P(Quote)
We all seem agreed on Botman. I was so happy for us, and him, for 60 minutes at Elland Road, but he’s clearly a long-term crock after he injured himself (nobody touched him) again.
Very sadly, he looks ever so much like a gonner, unfortunately.
davewallace(Quote)