Real Valladolid supremo speaks of difficult contract renewal for reported Newcastle target Mohammed Salisu

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Earlier this week, Newcastle were reportedly credited with an interest in Real Valladolid’s highly rated defender Mohammed Salisu, and the club’s sporting director has been speaking about the player.

He is held in high regard at his current club, which has seen them offer him a number of contract renewals in little more than a year, in a bid to tie their asset down to the La Liga side.

Spanish publication Pucela Fichajes reports the interest in the 20-year-old from other clubs is complicating any further talks between Valladolid and the player’s representatives.

They quote sporting director, Miguel Angel Gomez, said: “Salisu perceives the love of the club because we have made three contracts in thirteen months.

“He knows that we have always had him and my fight with him on the subject of the language, and he knows that he is an important player and that we would like to proceed with that renewal but today he is a little stopped.”

Despite the sketchy translation, it is clear that the club want to keep the player, and are even open to offering him yet another new contract, but the circling of other clubs is impeding any potential talks.

The release clause is an issue for Valladolid

The problem the Spanish side have, is the well documented clause in his current deal, which would allow the player to leave for just €12 million (£10.2m), making him a bargain buy.

So even if the club internally know they are likely to lose their star prospect, they would ideally like to get him to sign a new deal, where they can insert a much bigger release clause.

But the player’s agents are unlikely to agree, knowing that a bigger fee will reduce the options, or likelihood of a new club, for their client.

Newcastle should be knocking on Valladolid’s door over such a talent, for what is – in modern footballing terms – a paltry fee.

Other interest comes in the shape of Manchester United and Everton, as well as clubs from Germany and Spain, which means there will be stiff competition for the player’s signature.

But these are exactly the types of player Toon fans should be happy to see Newcastle linked with, as they are young, but have first team experience, and are likely to improve over time, hopefully on Tyneside.