OPINION
With so much speculation regarding the club’s future it should come as little surprise to hear that Newcastle United are choosing to shelve contract talks.
A takeover deal, which would see new owners and therefore new ambitions on Tyneside, could change everything in terms of what players are tied down to new terms and what the nature of those contract deals might be.
The Chronicle report (20/06, 13:24) that agents are trying to get their clients new deals but that Newcastle have chosen to avoid committing to any first team agreements – leaving a number of senior players left in the lurch over their futures.
One such talent who finds himself in a precarious situation is rarely seen goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, the 22-year-old having last signed a contract extension back in 2016, that particular deal tying him down until 2020.
With a year left on his current terms, it is easy to understand why he is keen to get something sorted out this summer and Newcastle need to make an exception to their current embargo on contracts to end his contract fears and get a promising young talent committed to the Magpies.
A six-cap England under-21 international, he has long been seen as one of the most exciting youngsters to come through the club’s academy and the last thing they will want is to lose him for either a marginal fee this summer or for compensation when his contract ends next year.
You do not play 39 first team appearances for the Magpies and his loan clubs – including two spells in the Scottish top flight – without being a real talent and while he might not be in line to take Martin Dubravka’s spot just yet, his time will come.
A new contract amid all the confusion and uncertainty will demonstrate that Newcastle have faith and belief in Woodman to make it to the very top – something which would be much appreciated by a young gun trying to make his way in the sport.
