Rafa Benitez has spoken out this week on the ongoing contract negotiations between Mohamed Diamé and Newcastle United.
The Magpies’ boss has lots of things to think about come the end of the season, and contract negotiations will be right up there.
One of the main issues in recent weeks has been Mo Diame’s insistence on a two-year extension at the club, as covered by the Chronicle, which was snubbed last week.
Whilst speaking to Chronicle, Benitez said: “It has not been an issue. You can see if I need to use him, I can use him.
“I will not be too worried about that.
“We need to be sure we put on the pitch players that can win, that is it.”
OPINION
Mo Diame is arguably one of Newcastle’s best assets, and has been a major part of their 2018/19 campaign. However, the Senegal international has found difficulty in securing a new contract at St. James’ Park, and contract negotiations are still ongoing, which is never good as the season slowly comes to a close. Diame only actually needs another two starts in the league to trigger a one-year contract extension, however it seems Benitez isn’t currently insistent on playing him in the remaining games. Although Benitez claims that Diame’s contract is ‘not an issue’, it seems likely that it may end up being a problem come the end of the season, should the midfielder not be offered a new contract with the club. Newcastle shouldn’t really be looking to ship Diame out just yet, and although he is 31 years of age now, he still has a vast array of talent to offer, for sure. There’s a high chance that Benitez is looking to get rid of him in the summer however, especially with the recent arrival of Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United.
