Jamaal Lascelles is set to stay at Newcastle United next season after the club triggered a one-year extension option in his contract.
The Magpies skipper's contract was due to expire this summer. He was heavily linked with a move to Turkish giants Besiktas in January but head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed Lascelles is under contract for the 2024-25 campaign.
Lascelles has made 24 appearances for Newcastle this season, most of have come between September and December when Sven Botman was sidelined with a knee injury.
And Howe is full of praise for the 30-year-old, who joined from Nottingham Forest nine-and-a-half-years ago. He is one appearance shy of making 250 appearances. Howe said: "I hope he's here next year. He's done incredibly well, both as a leader and captain of the group, but also a player. I think his game has really developed and he's played an important part in the season. When he's played, I think he's been excellent.
"But of course there is good competition for places in that area now with everybody fit but he's an integral part of what we're doing. In regards to his contract situation, it's not unclear in my mind, he has a contract for next year."
Asked if an option has been triggered, Howe replied: "Yes."
Here's when Newcastle United player's contract expires, as it stands:
1. Elliot Anderson - N/A
Signed a ‘long-term’ deal in September 2022.
2. Anthony Gordon - N/A
Newcastle didn’t disclose the length of Gordon's contract when he signed from Everton just over 12 months ago.
3. Harrison Ashby - N/A
Similar to Gordon, the club didn’t reveal Ashby's contract length. Currently on loan at Swansea City.
4. Lewis Hall - TBC
Newcastle have triggered a permanent deal for Hall - currently on loan from Chelsea - after meeting the performance related criteria. He will sign a long-term contract this summer.