Agents working for Emil Krafth have a clear belief on the defender’s immediate future at Newcastle United with the Swede due to be available for a free transfer come 2024.
That is according to Chronicle Live, which reports that the entourage of Krafth does not feel Newcastle will grant a transfer this summer. Those close to the 28-year-old believe the Toon will at least honour the last year of his existing contract after a season plagued by an injury.
Krafth only managed two appearances through the 2022/23 campaign, only including one in the Premier League. He further only featured for a combined 39 regular minutes having only appeared off boss Eddie Howe’s bench. The right-back sustained an ACL injury last August.
Krafth’s camp expects one decision from Newcastle this summer
The issue came as a cruel blow for Krafth, who only signed a new contract with Newcastle in July 2022. Howe even praised the 42-cap international for his ‘excellent contribution’ to the Magpies’ efforts at the time. Yet his injury prevented Krafth from building on his fresh terms.
Newcastle included an option to extend Krafth’s contract until June 2025 but are not looking to utilise it just yet. Yet the defender’s camp feels he will stay at St James’ Park until, at least, the January market. Despite his injury-enforced absence, Krafth remains well-liked by Howe.
Krafth can offer Newcastle a versatile understudy once he is fit
Howe admired what Krafth gave when he signed his new contract and remains a fan of what he can offer. The Ljungby native is unlikely to vie for a starting position on Tyneside anytime soon. But he offers the Toon depth as a right-back and even as an emergency centre-half.
Of the defender’s 20 appearances through the 2021/22 Premier League season, he featured four times as a centre-half. Although each of those matches came before Howe took over at St James’ Park. Interim boss Graeme Jones used Krafth in the heart of the defence the most.
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