Newcastle re-signed young goalkeeper Freddie Woodman for another year before sending him on loan to Swansea for the season, and they must be ruing not making it a longer deal.
The England under-21 stopper has all the attributes to become a future star, and quite why Newcastle would not offer him a deal representative of that last summer, is baffling.
But this summer, a one year extension was agreed, and the keeper is making the most of his opportunity in Wales, pulling off a string of great saves, helping the Swans climb to second spot in the early Championship table.
The problem Newcastle will have – and it is of their own making – is his superb form will alert other clubs, and when Woodman returns, it will be de ja vu, with him again poised to enter the final year of his deal.
Woodman should be seen as Newcastle keeper of the future
They must try to tie him down to a long term deal before the end of his temporary deal.
The alternative is to see him make the most of undoubted other interest, and either lose him for a reduced fee, or a worst case scenario, see him sit out the final year, and leave on a free.
He should be seen as the future of Newcastle United, and be given a contract to show him that.
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