Joelinton is widely expected to sign for Newcastle United in the next day or so, despite German website Sport1 claiming a last minute hitch over the length of the contract delaying its completion.
It alleges the player is wanting to sign a three-year deal, while Newcastle are hoping for a four- or five-year contract.
Joelinton is 22, and is at a pivotal stage of his career, with this move considered crucial to the shape of his future, and naturally, with the size of the fee being mooted, both parties want the best deal for themselves.
Rumoured to be costing around £36 million, Newcastle are quite right to try to insist on a longer term deal, with them hoping to nurture him into his peak years.
If he develops into the highest level of player the Magpies hope he will, other clubs could start sniffing around for him in a couple of seasons, and Newcastle will want to have the security of multiple years remaining on his current contract to maximise his sell-on fee.
Should he just sign a deal for three years, and has a very successful first season, which sees other clubs interested, with only two years remaining, Newcastle would risk having to sell him, before he enters his final year the next summer.
Should they let him go towards the last 12 months of his deal, his value could depreciate quite significantly.
Newcastle must ensure they get the best deal for the football club
Of course, it may sound defeatist to be thinking of his sale before he even signs, and Newcastle will undoubtedly be hoping it becomes irrelevant, and that he stays for many years to come, but it is how big business works.
The club must protect themselves over their asset, and for once, they are absolutely right to be demanding he signs as long a deal as possible.
With such a short time remaining in the transfer window though, Newcastle cannot afford to hang around too long, and maybe a compromise of a three-year deal, with an automatic extension clause based on appearances, being inserted.
It is vital the club get this deal tied up as soon as possible, with many other areas needing strengthening too.
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