OPINION
If you had to sum up the mood around St. James’ Park this summer in one word, you might be tempted go with “confused” or “frustrated”.
With no word from the club on either of the major issues facing the club – namely a proposed takeover and the fast approaching expiration of Rafa Benitez’s contract – it’s fair to say that feelings on Tyneside are far from positive at the moment.
And all of that before you even begin to think about the state the playing staff could be left in come the start of the season.
With nothing beyond the occasional whisper of a rumour in the transfer market, it looks as if to could be another summer of last minute panic buying for the Magpies, but the problems don’t end there.
According to a report in the Chronicle, the widespread bedlam pervading the club at the moment has also brought negotiations with current players to a halt.
Amongst those waiting for news is full-back DeAndre Yedlin.
The Chronicle writes: “This [contract talks] has also come to a total standstill with several agents trying to get news on fresh deals for their clients.
“United did sign off a host of younger player contracts when the retained list came out recently.
“But the likes of Karl Darlow, DeAndre Yedlin and Freddie Woodman don’t know what will come next with all three eager for news on their next step.”
Whereas you can understand potential hiccups in the renewal of contracts with reserve goalkeepers like Darlow and Woodman, it is sheer lunacy that more has not been done to tie Yedlin down.
The £30,000-a-week American [Spotrac] isn’t out of contract until 2021, but the fact that he is asking for updates and getting nothing is not a good sign.
Under that kind of environment, who could blame him if he washed his hands of the whole sorry mess and forced through a move this summer?
And this isn’t a player who doesn’t matter to the Magpies. Yedlin made 29 appearances in the Premier League last season, earning a respectable 6.5 rating for his season from Whoscored in the process.
To let him go would be criminal, but honestly, with the way things are, it would also be a sign of where Newcastle are heading unless they are very careful in the next few weeks.
