A recent article from The Athletic’s George Caulkin has left some Newcastle United supporters feeling a little anxious this week.
He claims that Magpies managing director Lee Charnley has made contact with representatives of out-of-contract trio Andy Carroll, Javier Manquillo and Matty Longstaff to sign short-term extensions with the prospect of that becoming longer term.
It means all three players would definitely be available to finish the remaining nine matches of the campaign with the season set to resume next week. Currently, their contracts will expire at the end of the month, which would be halfway through this strange end to the campaign.
Should Lee Charnley follow Mike Ashley out of the exit door?
Yes, 100%
No, keep him
And many at St James’ Park have questioned the club and the state they’ll be coming back in as the takeover situation continues to rumble on with a decision yet to be made on the Premier League’s part.
Current owner Mike Ashley has practically already washed his hands of United, meaning without Charnley’s intervention here, we really would be a rudderless ship.
Here’s how the Magpies faithful have reacted to Caulkin’s claim…
https://twitter.com/agbnufc/status/1270264179040157696?s=20
What a sad state our forward depth is, that we would offer a longer contract extension to a guy whose entire body is as fragile as Michael Owen’s hamstring. I like Carroll and he’s unplayable when fit but he is almost never fit. It’s not adding depth if he’s never available.
— Andy NUFC (@Andy83H) June 9, 2020
Carroll signing a new contract would be a terrible move
— Mr Michael (@MichaelMidd90) June 9, 2020
What a mess fella.
— Lee Martin (@LMnufc87) June 9, 2020
Not concerned with that approach. If the takeover is complete, the new owners could easily underwrite the additional costs associated with a one year plus extension. If there is no takeover, we will need bodies on the cheap for next season anyway.
— Andrew McVittie (@Andrew_McVittie) June 9, 2020
Boggles the mind that an industry like @premierleague or @nufc, both of which are utterly reliant on the public, can choose to completely ignore their customers and the wider public with absolute impunity and zero fear of any repercussion. Sickeningly poor.
— Nedders (@Neddrs) June 9, 2020
Someone must be accountable at the club, there’s probably a cause of no transfer movement unless agreed by both parties. If the buyers want to keep Matty L for example they need to ensure Ashley makes it happen. One way or another we will know the result of the takeover in June
— Mike 🇬🇧🇦🇺 (@mikeyjpatt) June 9, 2020
One big mess what the PL have created. No need at all to take 3x the time frame to get a deal signed off or not signed off.
— Dean Dodds (@DeanDodds2) June 9, 2020
George, please don’t float the possibility of the takeover not happening again. That one line from this article was chilling.
— Shaun Pearce (@shaunpearce89) June 9, 2020