Newcastle United's current hierarchy are believed to have placed Matty Longstaff's contract talks on hold after entering a grey area of business caused by the club's takeover situation.
Geordie striker Andy Carroll is another who is waiting to see how the handover unfolds at St James' Park with Mike Ashley resigned, subject to Premier League approval, to handing the keys to Amanda Staveley, the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Longstaff has not pushed for answers amid the virus pandemic but the midfielder's representatives are understood to have been told to wait for takeover news before negotiations on a contract extension can restart.
The 20-year-old's contract is up at the end of June and there is at least one concrete offer on the table from a European club while two German clubs have stayed in contact with the England youth international's camp in the last few weeks.
Longstaff is understood to be open to talks about his future and hearing what Newcastle - regardless of who owns it - have to say.
Carroll has also found himself in an unprecedented situation.
The Academy product was close to a return and could have been on the bench for the postponed FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City last month.
Carroll required a certain amount of appearances to automatically trigger a new deal but his contract also features a clause in which Newcastle can sanction a one-year extension at any stage should they please.
With a would-be board ready to take control, the decisions on both players now appear to be in the hands of others.
Contract decisions for the pair would be high on the priority list for both players with Longstaff a player with massive potential and Carroll's experience and know-how on life at Newcastle worth investing in for another year.
Managing director Lee Charnley is expected to depart his role as managing director with changes in the boardroom afoot at St James' Park.
