Newcastle fans have been left with mixed views after the club announced they are holding contract talks with playmaker Yoan Gouffran.
Thursday saw the the club announce their retained list ahead of next season, which revealed that first team players Vurnon Anita, Sammy Ameobi and Florian Thauvin would all be departing St James’ Park.
However the club also unveiled that they had opened discussions with the representatives of Gouffran, 31, over lengthening his stay on Tyneside, after his contract was due to expire in the summer.
The club made the announcement via their official Twitter account.
The club has opened discussions with Yoan Gouffran’s representatives, which may see the Frenchman extend his stay at St. James' Park. #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 9, 2017
Fans of the Magpies took to social media to voice their views on the French midfielder’s situation, which appears to have left the Toon Army divided.
This is Futbol has rounded up their best Tweets:
Right decision to let Anita go, concerned that Gouffran may not follow #NUFC
— Marc Jobling (@MarcJobling) June 9, 2017
Don't worry fellas. Gouffran is the new Ameobi at @NUFC. New era. #nufc
— ??Girish Prabhu?? (@girishthetoon) June 10, 2017
1) Being honest, gouffran is useful to keep around. Imagine being away to one of the top teams and being level or 1-0 up and under the kosh.
— John (@1892JP) June 9, 2017
In the grand scheme of things l hope gouffran is only been kept as a emergency backup and not part of main squad just not good enough #nufc
— Michael Kelly (@mjk195140) June 9, 2017
If Rafa wants gouffran it's good enough for me
— Jonathan collin (@Lips1982) June 9, 2017
In talks with Gouffran to try an extend his current deal. Baffling decision
— Ant Y (@1AntY) June 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/FinallyYedlin/status/873201991060738048
https://twitter.com/tompincher/status/873199289425702912
The French wide midfielder, who can also operate as a forward, has been at St James’ Park since January 2013, signing from French side Bordeaux.
Since then Gouffran has gone on to make 128 league appearances, scoring 16 goals, across the Premier League and Championship, and played a major role in their return to the top flight.
He made 39 league appearances out of a possible 46 last campaign, the fifth most out of the entire Newcastle squad, and scored a number of crucial goals to help the Magpies secure the Championship title.