New report claims Steve Bruce struggling to convince Mike Ashley to keep this player at NUFC

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.

Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE