'Absolutely priority': Eddie Howe now says a new contract for Joelinton is top of his to-do list

Not too long ago it was reported that talks over a new contract between Joelinton and Newcastle United had stalled and the Brazilian was at risk of being sold in the summer.

The most improved player in football history - as he's known in my house, Joelinton had recently been reported as potentially having played his last game for the club. This came after an injury ruled him out for what could potentially be the rest of the season.

At the same time it was believed that talks over a new contract had hit a dead-end and with his deal expiring next summer, it was touted that the club would sell him in the summer to avoid him leaving on a free next year.

We love Big Joe!

Naturally, there was a lot of uproar in the Toon fanbase, particularly at nufc.news Towers where the walls are adorned with posters of Joelinton and we all wear Joelinton face masks on the daily. Well, not really, but we are big fans.

PA

Joelinton is still on the contract he signed when he arrived for £40million for Hoffenheim, and if anyone has earned themselves a pay rise it's him. Maybe not as much as his Brazilian compatriot Bruno Guimaraes recently got, which was reportedly what Joelinton was asking, but definitely some improved terms had to be offered.

Speaking to the press this morning, Eddie Howe was asked about the current situation and the 46-year-old admitted that getting Joelinton to commit his future to the club was a priority and said that Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Darren Eales would likely negotiate on behalf of the club following the departure of Dan Ashworth (via NewcastleWorld).

“That’s always been in my mind as an absolute priority to try and get him to stay at the club long-term, I see that as hugely important."

Hurry up and get him signed up!

Confirming who would handle the negotiations, Howe said

"I think it’ll be a mixture of Darren Eales and probably Amanda and Mehrdad."

We are hoping for a quick resolution because after this nightmare of a season, we can't face the idea of losing Big Joe at the end of it as well.