Newcastle United defender Federico Fernandez is keen to hold clear the air talks with club chiefs before the end of January, according to the Northern Echo.
Fernandez has become an influential part of Steve Bruce’s favoured five-man backline in recent weeks, with the Argentine fielded in the opening line-up of our last seven Premier League games having featured for just 23 minutes before facing Wolverhampton Wanderers in October.
He has also provided vital goals at the other end of the field, with our second away to West Ham United in November and the winner at home to Southampton last weekend.
However, the 30-year-old centre-half faces an uncertain future at St. James’ Park as his current £43,000-per-week contract is due to expire in June, and owner Mike Ashley has long been opposed to offering long-term deals to players in their 30s.
Fernandez is keen to extend his stay on Tyneside beyond his current terms, and is hopeful that club chiefs will meet with him to discuss his future before the end of January, at which point he will be free to negotiate pre-contracts with overseas outfits.
“Would I like to stay longer? Yes, it’s a great club. But, of course, we need to talk in January,” said Fernandez, who turns 31 in February. “We will see what the club think about it.
“We will sit at the table and see what the options are. I haven’t spoken [with the club] yet. I focus on playing, on the team, it’s December so we have time.
“I am focused, and when you play and play well, and the team plays well, everything is easier. We will see what is going on in the next two months.”
Fernandez is one of nine senior players whose contracts are due to expire at the close of the season, with Jack Colback, Rob Elliot and Ki Sung-Yueng each expected to say their goodbyes in the summer.
Talks are said to have progressed well with Matty Longstaff’s representatives and a new contract is due to be announced shortly, while the club could look to trigger our option to turn Jetro Willems loan from Eintracht Frankfurt into a permanent arrangement in January rather than wait for the summer market.
Fernandez is not guaranteed to be offered a new contract despite his influential run in the first-team and desires to stay, having not yet held any talks with club chiefs.
The 30-year-old has averaged 2.6 successful tackles from 3.2 attempts per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, plus 1.4 interceptions, 9.2 clearances, 1.7 blocks and wins 2.5 of his 3.2 aerial duels, per WhoScored data.
In other Newcastle United news, fans have been discussing some of the potential sales the club could look to make in January.