Report: Steve Bruce will struggle to convince Mike Ashley to keep Federico Fernandez

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Steve Bruce will struggle to convince Mike Ashley to hand Federico Fernandez a new contract at Newcastle United due to the defender’s age.

According to the Northern Echo, the Argentine centre-half, who was allowed to talk to foreign clubs from the start of the year, has at least two offers from clubs on the continent.

The Sports Direct owner is notoriously known for being reluctant to hand out new deals to players over the age of 30 with Fernandez currently 33-years-old. And unlike his Swiss compatriot Fabian Schar, Fernandez doesn’t hold an option to extend his deal by an extra season in his contract.

When the ace has been fit this season, he has been a mainstay under Bruce, starting Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal, which was his 20th start in the Premier League.

TBR View: Retaining the Argentine would be smart business

With everything that has happened this season, Fernandez proves to be one of the older heads in the Newcastle United squad and almost certainly a voice of leadership in the dressing room. His experience in the top-flight, 188 games, is an essential feature of his skillset and without it, the club could continue to struggle next season.

However, a wider issue is the lack of center-halves at the club if Fernandez is to leave. Florian Lejuene is currently on loan at Alaves and is almost certain to leave, whilst Schar’s future is far from certain despite claims Bruce’s hopes the Switzerland international will sign a new deal.

Should all three of the stars leave the club it would leave Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark as the only senior central defenders at the club. It’s a scenario that means the club would almost certainly need to dip into the transfer market to acquire at least two players given the lengthy schedule English clubs face.

The former Swansea man is a key figure at the club and in the starting line-up. Letting him leave could well be a poor move from the Geordies especially if other players leave the club.