Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United want to agree deal with 'absolutely sensational' player

The Magpies handed a new two-year contract to Schar in the summer of 2022 and that was extended by a further year when a one-year option was triggered in January 2023.

Schar is therefore out-of-contract at the end of the season, though it’s understood the Magpies have opened talks with his representatives over a new deal.

And Howe has admitted he’d “love” the former Switzerland international to remain at St James’ Park beyond this campaign.

Howe told NewcastleWorld: "With Fabian, just speaking from my behalf, he's been incredible for me, I have to say he has been absolutely sensational with some of the performances he's delivered. He's an integral part of what we're doing.

“His use of the ball is well known, his technical qualities and defensively he's been very strong for us. Yes, he's an important player and we'd love to keep him."

On Monday night in the 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, the 32-year-old made his 200th for Newcastle. After the game, he wrote on social media “here’s to many more”.

It’s not the first time this month Schar has suggested he is ready to commit to a new deal.

"I feel super comfortable at Newcastle, I've been playing for years and I have a coach who backs me," Schar recently told Blue Sport this week. "Everything is right for me. I would love to stay. The club and coach know what they have in me.

"Basically, it's always happened relatively quickly in recent years. The club wanted to keep me, I wanted to stay. That's why it was never a big deal. There are more complicated cases than mine."

Schar is regarded by many as one of the club’s best-ever pound-for-pound signings in the modern era after joining from Deportivo La Coruna for £3million in 2018.