Dwight Gayle has committed to Newcastle by signing a new contract, according to reports.
Gayle is one of a clutch of players out of contract in the summer as uncertainty surrounds the club, which is fighting a relegation battle.
But the Athletic report that Gayle has signed a new three-year deal on reduced terms, which will tie him to Newcastle until 2024.
That would take the striker - who has cut a frustrated figure as he waits for chances in the first team this term - through to the age of 34.
It also reveals a lot about the club's view of what comes next - and the profound impact the pandemic has had on football.
Handing new deals to players that side of 30 would have been unthinkable a few years ago but we may see more of it if there is no takeover.
Gayle committing on reduced terms is an admission that there will be less money swirling around the game and will give him some form of security. While for Newcastle, the key is securing players for next season while their revenues have been crunced by the pandemic.
Gayle remains a useful part of the squad who has a strike rate in the Premier League that stands up to scrutiny and for the Magpies, the cost of replacing him far outweighs the commitment of a new deal.
If they do go down, his record in the second tier speaks for itself.
It also protects his value in case they do look to move him on. Just two years ago, they accepted an offer of £12million from West Brom but the player did not want to move.
While none of this will spark huge enthusiasm for the future give Steve Bruce hasn't played him much of late, it probably makes sense from the Magpies - and also reveals much about life in the post-pandemic Premier League.
