‘Terrific’ star now considering Newcastle exit, but is demanding a pay rise

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Newcastle United star Javier Manquillo is now considering accepting a transfer to leave St James’ Park this summer. But he is demanding suitors offer a pay rise on his Toon contract.

That’s according to Chronicle Live, who note the right-back is attracting interest from sides in his native Spain. But no deal on the table has yet convinced Manquillo to quit Newcastle after five years on Tyneside, after joining from Atletico Madrid under Rafa Benitez in 2017.

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The Magpies’ £4.5m capture has discussed potential deals with his agent whilst recovering from an injury. Manquillo is currently in Spain whilst rehabilitating from a problem that has kept the 28-year-old from featuring in any of Newcastle’s pre-season friendly games so far.

Javier Manquillo is now considering leaving Newcastle, but demands a pay rise

Manquillo is prepared to stay at Newcastle and fight for his place in Eddie Howe’s squad, if no offers to leave the Toon prove appealing. Kieran Trippier is the undisputed number one full-back on Tyneside following his £12m transfer from Atletico Madrid during this January.

Emil Krafth also provides Howe with cover on the right-hand side of his defence, as well as a central option. Both Krafth and Trippier also now have an edge over Manquillo with their fitness. So, Howe will not stand in Manquillo’s way, should he decide now is his time to go.

Yet Manquillo wants any potential suitor to offer a pay rise on his £35k-a-week contract at St James’ to move. The former U21 international is also tied down on Tyneside for another two years, as Steve Bruce awarded the full-back he called ‘terrific’ a four-year deal in 2020.

Bruce often favoured Manquillo during his tenure on Tyneside, but Howe seldom showed the same faith in the full-back. He featured 19 times in the Premier League last season, yet started just eight of 12 outings with Howe at the helm and also started two from left-back.

Now, Manquillo is considering leaving Newcastle if a pay rise lands on his table from away from Tyneside. Otherwise, he will stay and fight to move back up the Toon’s pecking order.