Toon boss scraps his own contract talks to try and tie down Taylor
Published 23:00 09/10/10 By Brian McNally
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has put his own contract talks on the back burner as he bids to sort out transfer-listed Steven Taylor’s contract row.
Having persuaded the St. James’ Park top brass of the need for a new five-year deal for Andy Carroll, Hughton is now acting as peacemaker in a bid to end the wrangle over former England under-21 skipper Taylor’s failure to sign a new contract.
The much-coveted Taylor, now almost recovered from a pre-season shoulder injury, was slapped on the transfer list by the board after his representatives turned down an offer that broke Newcastle’s existing pay ceiling.
The selfless Hughton, whose own deal expires next summer, is acting as peacemaker in trying to resolve the Taylor situation.
A Newcastle insider said: “Chris is putting the Taylor’s contract ahead of his own as he tries to keep another good young player at the club.
“The manager sees Carroll and Taylor very much as the future of the club and would like to try and sort out the differences that have prevented Taylor agreeing to the club’s offer. He has not given up on Taylor remaining at the club.
“Chris has put no pressure on the club over his own deal believing that it will take care of itself if he keeps doing good job. He will let it take its natural course.”
Taylor has been linked with a loan move to Celtic, but Middlesbrough and a host of other championship clubs are keeping tabs on his situation.
The central defender will be able to talk to interested clubs from January and leave Tyneside on a free next summer.
