Journalist makes contract claim on Fernandez, Carroll & Manquillo - 1 to stay, 1 to leave & 1 maybe?
The Chronicle's Mark Douglas has shared an update on a few players due to be out of contract next summer, and it's mixed news on Andy Carroll, Federico Fernandez and Javier Manquillo.
He believes Carroll will be offered an extension at the end of the season, feels there's 'a willingness' to tie Fernandez down to a new deal IF he accepts a 'short-term deal', but thinks Manquillo will not be rewarded with a 'serious contract offer', suggesting he'll be sacrificed as the club are 'committed to an overhaul' in 2020.
Here's what he's had to say about all three soon-to-be out of contract stars during The Chronicle's latest Q&A session:
"Of the players whose deals are expiring in 2020, I think Andy Carroll will get offered something at the end of the season.
"Federico Fernandez hasn’t had meaningful talks yet but I think there’s a willingness there to do something if he accepts a short-term deal (he might not and follow Mo Diame’s lead).
"Javier Manquillo is playing well enough to merit consideration but I think Newcastle are pretty committed to an overhaul this season so I doubt there’ll be a serious contract offer on the table."
Hopefully a serious offer is made to Fernandez after his outstanding form this season and general consistency since making the move from Swansea, however there's also a strong case for Manquillo to stay. After all, he's still only 25, seems our best right-back on current form and will cost a few million to replace.
Elsewhere, Douglas also had his say on a few other squad players who are about to enter the final 6 months of their current deals:
"Matty Longstaff will stay I think (more later), but Jack Colback and Ki will both leave. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot could also depart.
"There’s going to be a lot of upheaval in the next 18 months as Newcastle get the chance to press the reset button on this squad."
So, it seems Matty Longstaff will stay, but it will come as little surprise to hear Colback, Ki and Elliot look all set to head out of the exit door.
What would you like to see happen with this group? Let us know in the comments below.
