Newcastle United activated the 12-month extension clause in the contract of Fabian Schar to avoid the Switzerland defender leaving as a free agent, according to The Athletic.
Schar was one of several players set to leave St James’ Park at the expirations of their contracts on June 30. But he, and teammate Paul Dummett, have agreed to single-season extensions to remain on Tyneside until 2022.
The Toon are yet to announce either extending their contracts. Nor did they mention Schar had put pen to paper when interviewed for the club’s website, after helping Switzerland reach the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s history.
Schar could yet leave Newcastle this summer, however, as Steve Bruce is considering his centre-half options. The 63-cap international will turn 30 in December, leaving the current window as United’s best chance to recoup a solid fee.
The Magpies will only allow their £3m signing from Deportivo La Coruna to leave for a decent fee, though. And, for now, the £40,000-per-week defender is relaxed about his long-term future and is focusing his time on Euro 2020.
Bundesliga clubs have expressed an interest in signing Schar should he leave Newcastle over the past two years. But it is currently unclear if any German outfit will pursue the former Hoffenheim talent this summer.
Schar still has a lot to offer Newcastle
Newcastle may favour selling Schar in the summer if they receive a good offer as his resale value will only go down the longer he stays at St James’ Park. But the Swiss enforcer still has a lot to offer Bruce if kept on Tyneside.
Schar struggled to find consistent from last term between injuries – including near season-ending knee ligament damage against Southampton in February. But he was on the cusp of rediscovering his best self before the blow.
The 29-year-old was up for the fight against Leeds in January, and was rock solid to beat Everton 2-0. If he can stay fit, Schar can rediscover the from that surprised Rafa Benitez at both ends of the pitch.
“Not the first one,” Benitez told Sky Sports after Schar scored a sensational goal against Cardiff in 2019. “You can expect him to score maybe from a corner, but he’s a player with quality and he was going forward. It was a great goal.”
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