Newcastle United £5m star drops future hint ahead of major contract decision

Emil Krafth has opened up on his future at Newcastle United as he prepares to enter the final six months of his current deal at St James Park.

The Sweden international joined the Magpies during the summer of 2019 and was one of a number of players that has shown serious improvement following the appointment of Eddie Howe over the last two years.

After playing a valuable role replacing the injured Kieran Trippier as the Magpies moved away from the relegation zone and secured a mid-table finish during the 2021/22 season, Krafth had high hopes of building on that momentum last season.

However, a serious ACL injury suffered in a Carabao Cup win over Tranmere Rovers in the first month of the campaign left Krafth on the sidelines for over a year.  The former Amiens and Bologna star made a stunning return to action as he partnered Paul Dummett at the heart of a much-changed Magpies defence that helped stun Manchester United with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Krafth marked his Premier League return with a late substitute appearance in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth and received a surprise call-up to the Sweden squad for a Euro 2024 double header this week.

The Magpies defender was asked about his future on Tyneside during the international break and admitted he ‘would love to stay’ at Newcastle but revealed his focus remains on returning to full fitness as soon as possible.

He told FootballSkanalen: “I haven’t reflected on it that much, as my focus has been on coming back and playing football. Then you have to take it as it comes.

“It is clear that you talk a little, but not especially. It’s not something I focus on. I just want to come back and play football. What happens, happens and then you have to take it. We are enjoying ourselves very much in Newcastle.

“I haven’t thought about it yet. It depends a bit on what the club wants and signals, but they haven’t signalled anything so far.  We’ll see. My family and I enjoy Newcastle very well, so we can imagine staying. We would love to stay.”

Krafth could add to his 42 international caps when Sweden round off their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with Azerbaijan and Estonia over the next week.