Report: Newcastle are now looking at Manu Kone should things go south with Joelinton

Talks between Newcastle United and Joelinton over a new contract have reportedly broken down and now the club are eyeing replacements.

There's a rumour going around that Joelinton could have kicked his last ball as a Newcastle player with the 27-year-old expected to missing for the remainder of the season.

That, coupled with a stand-off over an extension to his contract which expires next summer, means that J7 could be sold this summer and we'll never see him in the black and white again. Naturally, this has caused outrage around Newcastle with Joelinton being one of the club's most popular players.

Newcastle are looking at Joelinton replacements

The thinking now is that Newcastle will step up their interest in looking for midfielders to replace Joelinton should he not climb down from his huge wage demands.

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The Magpies are already looking at Kalvin Phillips who has yet to move in this window, but it's increasingly likely that Newcastle will wait until the summer before making any big moves and by then Phillips will likely be off the market.

Khephren Thuram remains of interest after the Frenchman opted to stay at Nice in the summer. Ederson of Atalanta and Amadou Onana from Everton have been the recent names in the frame but now HITC has claimed that Manu Kone of Borussia Monchengladbach is also on the Magpies' radar.

Kone has made just 11 appearances this season

He's made just nine appearances in the Bundesliga this season due to injuries and suspensions, but he has a goal and an assist to his name, he's also got a goal in his two cup appearances, so despite his limited game time he's doing okay.

Kone is a strong midfielder like Joelinton and at just 22 he fits the profile of a Newcastle signing.

Naturally, we'd much prefer the contract situation to be resolved and we keep Joelinton as we are huge fans of the lad, but at the same time, we know that players come and go, that's part of the game.