'I'm not done': 29-year-old almost left Newcastle in January before club triggered new deal

January was a very quiet month in terms of transfers for most clubs with Newcastle United only conducting a couple of small pieces of business.

Javier Manquillo rejoined Rafa Benitez at Celta Vigo weeks before the former Newcastle gaffer was sacked and the Magpies brought in youngster Alfie Harrison from Manchester City.

Miguel Almiron almost went to Saudi Arabia after Al-Shabab verbally agreed terms with Newcastle, but the Paraguayan turned down the offer. Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson were consistently linked with moves away from the club but both remain on the payroll.

Newcastle did hand out some new contracts, though, with Sweden international Emil Krafth given another year at the club.

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Emil Krafth earned himself a new nickname while deputising for Kieran Trippier

The 29-year-old spent the majority of last season, and a large chunk of this season, sidelined after picking up an ACL injury in the Carabao Cup clash with Tranmere Rovers in August 2022.

It was a devastating injury for the right-back, but even more so given the timing. At the back end of the previous season, Krafth had filled in for Kieran Trippier for a few weeks while the England man was injured. Krafth was so impressive during that spell that fans gave him the nickname of Krafu (for you young'uns, it's a reference to Brazilian full-back Cafu who was absolutely immense).

Now Krafth has shared with Newcastle World that his agent was approached in January about his availability by Swedish side Malmo, but he feels he has more to prove at Newcastle.

Emil Krafth is not ready to return to Sweden just yet

Krafth has made 12 appearances this season since recovering from his ACL injury and was rewarded by Eddie Howe with a new deal in January when he had just six months remaining on his contract.

“Yes, they checked with the agent, I don’t think it was more than that.

“They were a bit optimistic. I feel that I have a few years left abroad before that question should be addressed. But I feel that I’m not done abroad."

We were happy to see Krafth given an extension to his deal after his heroics during that spell covering for Trippier, but with Tino Livramento leapfrogging the Swede in the pecking order and Harrison Ashby due to return from Swansea, we wonder just how much we'll see of him.