Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo 'close' to signing new Newcastle United deals

Carroll and Manquillo, along with Matty Longstaff, are out of contract at the end of this month, though they have verbally agreed to stay on until the end of the delayed season.

And Steve Bruce has revealed that the club has held contract talks with Carroll and Manquillo.

Striker Carroll, 31, re-signed for the club last summer as a free agent after leaving West Ham United, while 26-year-old defender Manquillo joined from Atletico Madrid three years ago.

“We’ve talked about a long-term contract with the three of them – that’s a contract for next season, not just to get through these last few games,” said Bruce, United’s head coach.

“We’ve had those talks with Andy, Manquillo and the young Longstaff as well. The talks are ongoing, but I believe it’s positive as far as Andy and Manquillo are concerned.

“I think it’s important that those players understand the situation, and we’ve tried to do that.”

Carroll and Manquillo are “close” to agreeing new deals at the club, though talks with midfielder Longstaff, 20, are more problematic.

“The one that’s more difficult at the minute is Matty – that’s the one that we can’t seem to get over the line,” said Bruce. “But when it comes to the other (two), they’re close, and let’s hope we’ll be able to announce something concrete on that soon.”