Hristov gives five year contracts to twelve players
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Rob Lee
Published at 8:01PM, August 8 2028
Newcastle manager Dimiter Hristov has moved swiftly to handle the contract situation at Saint James' Park. As widely speculated no less than fourteen players had twelve months left on their deals and Hristov opened negotiations with all of them. Only two of those have so far rejected to put pen to paper. The Evening Chronicle understands Sam Thomas and the management are still some way apart as the young wing-back believes his salary should match the other first team players and the club are unwilling to give him such a raise considering he is on £25k p/w. Vice captain Michael Toase has also asked for a significant raise from his current £165k p/w contract and Hristov prefers to up only his bonuses.
In the meantime all the other players have already signed their new five year deals and will stay with the club until 30th June 2033. The club has published the figures but picked not to disclose the various bonuses included:
Striker Jim Priestley will receive £190k p/w. His previous contract was for £160k p/w.
Winger Mickaël van der Vaart will receive £150k p/w. His previous contract was for £150k p/w.
Centre-back Santiago Bernal will receive £150k p/w. His previous contract was for £150k p/w.
Winger Paolo Bonato will receive £135k p/w. His previous contract was for £150k p/w.
Winger Roland Le Gac will receive £23k p/w. His previous contract was for £24k p/w.
Youngster Berkay Sezer will receive £12.75k p/w. His previous contract was for £0.75k p/w.
Wing-back Christian Lemos will receive £8.75k p/w. His previous contract was for £50k p/w.
Youngster Sam Latham will receive £5k p/w. His previous contract was a £55 p/w youth deal.
Youngster Tony De Havilland will receive £3.5k p/w. His previous contract was for £1k p/w.
Youngster Mamadou Ba will receive £3k p/w. His previous contract was for £3k p/w.
Youngster Tom Riley will receive £2.5k p/w. His previous contract was for £1.5k p/w.
Youngster Kamel Boukhari will receive £1k p/w. His previous contract was for £1k p/w.
This means Newcastle will pay these players a total of £178m over the next five seasons, bonuses not included. The new deals have raised the overall wage bill of the club by a little more than £40k p/w.