Sources: Joelinton opens talks over Newcastle United deal amid ‘huge’ reveal
Joelinton has opened negotiations with Newcastle United over a new contract, sources have told Football Insider.
Both the club and the Brazilian are confident that an extension to his current deal can be agreed.
His current contract is set to expire in June 2025, but sources told Football Insider that manager Eddie Howe is a “huge” fan of the 27-year-old and is eager to keep him on Tyneside.
Joelinton has turned his career around at Newcastle since Howe’s arrival after a wretched start under former boss Steve Bruce.
He was the Magpies’ record signing when he made the £40million move from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2019, but Howe revived his career by moving the striker into midfield.
Since Howe joined in November 2021, Joelinton has played 58 games in central midfield, but has also been deployed on the wings to great effect.
He has made 176 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 25 goals and notching 14 assists.
Intriguingly, he celebrated his thunderous goal in Newcastle’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday night by ignoring his teammates and running over to the dugout to celebrate with Howe.
Since the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund bought Newcastle from Mike Ashley in 2021, the club has gone from relegation battlers to frequently challenging for European places in the Premier League.
Joelinton was vital in helping his side finish fourth in the league last season and returning them to the Champions League for the first time since 2003.
They were eliminated from Europe on Wednesday night (13 December) after AC Milan came back from 1-0 down to beat the Magpies 2-1, leaving Howe’s side at the foot of Group F on five points at the end of the group stages.
Joelinton scored the opening goal in the tie, bringing his goal haul for this season up to three in all competitions.
Newcastle sit seventh in the Premier League on 26 points and next face Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon (16 December).
In other news, Kieran Maguire: Newcastle United distance themselves from Saudi with ‘fascinating’ new deal.