OPINION
To say that Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has been a revelation this season would be a bit of an understatement, wouldn’t it?
The 27-year-old has been in exhilarating form since he signed from Basel in the summer and it is hard to imagine, as a Magpies fans, life without the Swiss centre-back.
However, that could now become a very real possibility after the Mirror reported that Arsenal and Tottenham are keen on him, and many supporters will no doubt be sweating over these links. If either team did come knocking in the summer, just how would Schar react? The temptation of moving to a club in the top-six of the Premier League will certainly be alluring.
Schar has not even got going yet as he has only been at the club under a year, so boss Rafa Benitez must work his magic and convince him to stay if there is a point where he really considers making the switch. At Newcastle, the first team opportunities come in abundance, whereas if he joined Spurs or the Gunners, those assurances would not be so certain.
This is no doubt a pivotal factor in this saga, and there is no ruling out whether either club will come and make an offer for his services.
It is no surprise that they are interested in Schar as he has been one of the standout performers of the season, but the Magpies must not budge if they do come calling.
Their back line would essentially fall apart without him there, as the likelihood of finding someone as gifted to replace him is very slim indeed.
If Benitez cannot ensure that he stays at the club, then no one will – and just where will they be then?
