OPINION
Newcastle United have been struggling for goals so far this season with just 13 so far in the Premier League, but academy striker Elias Sorensen has had no such issues after taking his tally to 18 for the Under-23s.
The Danish youngster has been a revelation for Ben Dawson’s development side, with calls now coming for the 19-year-old to be handed a chance in the first-team.
While manager Rafa Benitez has been reluctant so far to hand him that shot, the club have now reportedly made a move to tie the red-hot striker down, with his current deal up at the end of the season.
As reported by The Sun, the Magpies have opened contract discussions with Sorensen and have offered him a three-year deal worth £1,500-a-week.
However, the newspaper claim that Sorensen has rejected that offer, instead demanding £2,500-a-week to remain on Tyneside in the long-term.
While it is understandable that the club may be reluctant to increase their offer and hand Sorensen too much, too early, with his development then suffering, they simply cannot afford to mess about in these negotiations.
It is not like the Dane is demanding an extortionate amount, with £2,500-a-week still being an extremely modest wage for a footballer in the Premier League.
Losing him would be unthinkable at this point, with the club having invested three years into his development and watched him finally blossom into a potential star.
The club must now pull their finger out and be ready to accept Sorensen’s demands, or be willing to at least negotiate a higher wage than the one touted in that first offer.
The striker looks like he could become a serious star for the Magpies, and they must not jeopardise his future on Tyneside by trying to lowball him in these talks.