Vurnon Anita and Yoan Gouffran are facing uncertain future at Newcastle United.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Newcastle United duo – Vurnon Anita and Yoan Gouffran, are facing uncertain future at the club and Rafael Benitez has done little to boost their hopes of staying put.
The contracts of both the players are set to expire at the end of next month, and as such, no new deals have been offered.
According to reports from ChronicleLive, Newcastle have been in talks with both players regarding their contract since November, but they were put on hold with the Magpies focussed on securing promotion.
Now that Newcastle is assured a promotion to the Premier League, the club will let them know about the decision over their future later this month.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in the stands
Benitez will be reportedly (The Sun) demanding a transfer war-chest, thought to be in the region of £100 million.
The Spaniard has told the duo that he will only give an update on their futures after his meeting with Mike Ashley. There he would discover the transfer budget for the summer and also the club’s wage budget going forward.
“I am trying to stop speculation about players because if we have a meeting and we talk about this or that, then it has an influence on players,” Benitez replied on Anita or Gouffran’s futures, as quoted by ChronicleLive.
“I told them the other day: ‘Forget about your future, short term, because we have to play this game, and then next week I will meet the owner and then we will talk about what’s going on and then you will know after the meeting because before the meeting I can say nothing’.”
Anita, the Dutch international, has been playing for Newcastle since 2012, and has made over 140 appearances in all competitions.
Gouffran, 30, joined Newcastle in 2013, and has made over 125 appearances for the Magpies. He has scored 19 goals for the club in the process.
Newcastle’s Vurnon Anita in action with Swansea’s Nathan Dyer
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