Newcastle United's Mohamed Diame hints at summer transfer amid contract wrangle

Mohamed Diame fears he will become the latest victim of Newcastle’s contract purge on players over 30.

The midfielder needs to make two more starts to trigger a one-year extension... but has been benched by boss Rafa Benitez, bar two games, since the Manchester United game on January 2.

Diame is lobbying for a two-year deal and could quit Tyneside in the summer, although the manager regards him as an excellent squad member.

“I’m trying to enjoy the games as much as I can, because it could be the last one," said the 31-year-old Senegal international. "I’m just trying to to enjoy — that’s it. Then we’ll see what will happen.

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Diame wants a new two-year deal but is the wrong side of 30 for that, in the club's eyes (EMPICS Sport)

“I’ve always said I’m happy here playing for this club and these fans. But this is football, and you have to deal with it. If I stay, I will be happy, and if I don’t stay, I will be happy somewhere else. That’s it.

“The situation is still the same: I need two more starts to get one extra year.

“But, I spoke with the club and when we were talking about my contract, I asked for two years, and they don’t want that. It’s difficult to get an extension when you are over 30 here. It’s not a problem for me; it’s football and part of the job.

“If I get the opportunity to stay, I will stay. And, if not, I will go somewhere else and enjoy my football.”

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Players' futures are up in the air until Newcastle know if Benitez himself is staying (Getty)

Benitez has denied he is under pressure from above to leave Diame out, saying: “No, I don’t have any problem with that.”

Fellow midfielder Matt Ritchie also wants a new deal, but Benitez has been unable to get stuck into sorting out player contracts because his own future is uncertain.

Newcastle won’t take up their option to sign Chelsea loanee Kenedy permanently in the summer, after a disappointing season.

The Brazilian winger, a key figure in the Magpies' successful relegation scrap a year ago having been borrowed from the Blues in the January, has not even been making match-day squads recently.