- Eddie Howe confirms imminent Newcastle United contract extension
- Fabian Schar decision goes against new club priorities
- Swiss defender still seen as valuable asset
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar is now set to stay at the club this summer, despite reports that the Magpies would let the 34-year-old leave as a free agent.
A changing of the guard is expected at St James’ Park once the 2025/26 campaign ends against Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Eddie Howe is set to stay on as manager, despite a turbulent run of results in recent months, but will have a new squad to work with. Both incomings and outgoings are inevitable at Newcastle.
Fabian Schar set for Newcastle United contract extension
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Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento are just three first-team stars linked with moves away. When it comes to arrivals, the Magpies are known to be prioritising moves for younger players that can be one day sold on for profit.
That mentality switch made a contract extension for veteran Schar feel unlikely. The Athletic reporter Chris Waugh had claimed that Newcastle would let the former Switzerland international leave in order to make space for a younger addition.
Schar has not played for the club since picking up an ankle injury against Leeds United in January. Initially, it had not been seen as a serious problem, but the injury developed an infection that then required surgery and extended his time on the sidelines.
The defender had started the majority of Premier League matches prior to that injury and is clearly still viewed as a valuable asset by Howe. Speaking in his press conference on Friday, the Newcastle boss confirmed that talks over a contract extension were underway.
Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United contract talks
He said: “I’ve had a few discussions with Fabby. Discussions are now with Ross (Wilson) and his agent and we hope to come to a successful conclusion.
“Fingers crossed. We want Fabian to stay. I think he’s got a lot to offer. I think we’ve missed him since he’s been injured. We’ve missed his distribution and his passing from deep has been a big miss for us, the way he accelerates our attacks.
“We wouldn’t be keeping anyone that we didn’t feel could help the team. I think Fabian’s been unbelievable for us. Until it’s signed, it’s not done, but I still feel he has a lot to offer.”
Schar first joined Newcastle from Deportivo de La Coruña in 2018 for just £3 million. The defender has gone on to make 251 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals.
Schar played the full 90 minutes in the famous Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool last year, having scored two goals in the cup run prior to the visit to Wembley Stadium.
The contract extension had perhaps been teased by Newcastle, given that Schar was not given the same send-off as Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth following the final home match of the season against West Ham last weekend.
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