Fabian Schar to leave Newcastle as Eddie Howe pushes for agreement
Newcastle’s interest in highly-rated Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie could spell the end of Fabian Schar’s time at the club with his contract soon set to expire.
Schar has been an important part of Newcastle‘s rise under Eddie Howe and is one of their longest-serving current players after joining from Deportivo La Coruna back in 2018.
The 33-year-old centre-back has made 244 appearances for the Magpies in the last seven-and-a-half years, but has found game-time harder to come by this season after Malick Thiaw’s summer arrival.
Newcastle want to hold contract talks with Schar, as revealed by Football Insider, but an agreement is yet to be reached as his deal edges closer to its expiry next summer.
Howe is known to be looking to lower the average age of his squad in the upcoming transfer windows, and Schar could soon be allowed to leave the club as they target French starlet Methalie.
Newcastle hold internal talks ahead of potential Methalie approach
According to a new report from the Daily Mail, Newcastle chiefs are discussing a possible move for Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie ahead of the January window.
The 19-year-old has broken into their first team this season to make 15 Ligue 1 appearances so far, with his strong performances earning him a first call-up to the France Under-21 squad.
Methalie is a left-back by trade but can also feature as a centre-back at six-foot-two-inches tall, and Howe is understood to view him as a “key component” of Newcastle’s future plans, even though a move will be tough with his current contract set to run until 2030.
Schar could make way as Newcastle target Methalie
While Methalie is usually a left-back, it seems likely that he would be utilised as a centre-back under Howe, considering his size and athleticism.
Their interest in the 19-year-old does not bode well for Schar’s future at the club, with his age and lack of versatility working against him, as well as his recurring injury woes.
Football Insider’s sources have revealed that Newcastle could let Schar leave in January despite being keen to enter contract talks, with Howe keen on refreshing his defensive options.
Numerous Bundesliga clubs are interested in signing Schar if he does depart, and that may well be the case if the Magpies accelerate a move for Methalie soon.