23 January 2024 , 22:52
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Joelinton's career at Newcastle United may not be over after all, with the Brazilian expected to return from injury before the end of the season.
Last week, it looked as if the midfielder had played his last game for the Magpies due to a lengthy injury lay-off and a contract issue that is seeing neither party willing to budge. The 27-year-old sustained a thigh issue during the 3-0 win away at arch rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup earlier on this month.
As a result, Joelinton was forced to undergo surgery, which many expected to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign. The Brazil international only has 18 months left on his Newcastle deal and if an extension can't be agreed, Eddie Howe would surely look to cash in on the former Hoffenheim man in the summer before he can leave for free 12 months later.
However, Joelinton's season may not be over just yet. Within the club statement confirming his surgery, Newcastle also offered up when we can expect to see the midfield man back in action.
It read: "Newcastle United can confirm that Joelinton has successfully undergone surgery on a thigh injury sustained earlier this month. The midfielder will now commence a period of rehabilitation overseen by the club's medical team and is expected to return to action in May 2024. Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Joelinton a speedy recovery."
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While that means the St. James' Park faithful will get another glimpse of him in the famous black and white shirt, it does not resolve the contract stand-off. According to MailSport, Joelinton's wage demands stretch well beyond what Newcastle are willing to pay.
The next summer window would be the club's last chance to generate any sort of cash for the £40million man, who has been at the club since 2019. Howe is keen on keeping Joelinton, but his current demands would see him become the club's highest earner.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Newcastle spend big to keep Joelinton or line up a replacment? Comment below
Joelinton's season may not be over after all according to Newcastle's latest statementThis news comes just days after the club's CEO Darren Eales admitted the Magpies may need to sell some of their biggest names in a bid to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
“It's just the nature of the beast. If you trade players on, it creates more headroom," Eales conceded. "You have to keep growing that headroom, increasing commercial revenue and player trading.
"It’s difficult to hypothesise, but if we’re offered £1 billion for one of those players, then no one could argue against that making sense.
"Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club. It’s difficult to say specifically on certain players, but I can say that, if we’re going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players."