‘Howe really rates’: Journalist thinks Newcastle will offer bumper new deal to player Shearer has called ‘excellent’

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Keith Downie has tipped Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe to offer defender Fabian Schar a new contract.

The Sky Sports reporter was speaking to GiveMeSport about the Magpies man’s future.

According to TEAMtalk, Schar is close to penning an extended contract at St James’ Park.

The 30-year-old has been a key component of Newcastle’s defence since Howe took the Newcastle reins.

Schar, who missed out on a lot of last term through injury, was an unused substitute for much of the early part of this season.

The Switzerland international’s contract expires this summer and there has been significant speculation over his future.

TEAMtalk claimed that Schar has attracted offers from Lille, Borussia Monchengladbach and Galatasaray.

“Newcastle are my first choice”

As per FIFA rules, the Newcastle man has been free to talk to non-English clubs over a pre-contract agreement since January.

However, Schar has made his long-term intentions clear.

He told Swiss broadcaster SRF, via The Sun: “Everyone at the club knows how good I feel playing for this team under the current manager.

“I can well imagine myself staying at Newcastle beyond this summer.

“This wasn’t always the case. Things didn’t always go so well for me under the club’s previous ownership.

“The next few weeks will determine how things turn out for me – but Newcastle are my first choice for sure.”

Now, Downie has claimed that Howe admires both Schar and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey.

The Sky Sports reporter feels that Schar’s performances since the have warranted an improved contract on Tyneside.

Downie told GiveMeSport: “Eddie Howe really rates Jonjo Shelvey and he rates Fabian Schar as well, so I think he’ll want to keep that continuity there.

“Someone like Fabian Schar has played himself into a really good contract given how well he’s played since Howe came in.”

“Commanding in the back four”

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has praised Schar in the past.

Back in 2019, he said on Match of the Day (BBC One, 19/1/19, 10:30pm) following a 3-0 win over Cardiff: “He’s been a decent buy, £3.5 million from Deportivo.

“You can’t let anybody get into the box without closing them down but he punished them.

“He guides it into that corner. It was a wonderful finish.

“I thought he was excellent today.

“Commanding in the back four, winning headers for his team. He was a danger all afternoon.”