Andy Carroll’s Newcastle United contract could be extended by 12 months – if the player triggers an appearance clause.
On transfer deadline day the striker was announced as the Magpies’ fifth summer signing, on an “initial one-year deal”.
But it’s understood there is a clause in the deal that states should 30-year-old Carroll play (an as yet unspecified) number of games for United this season, his deal will be extended to the end of the 2020/21 season.
These kind of agreements are common place in transfer negotiations – last season Mo Diame was due a one-year extension if he started 25 games. In some cases it can be as low as 15 games.
Last season England striker Carroll made 14 appearances for West Ham United. The season previous he made 18.
Carroll is thought to be on a basic weekly wage of between £20,000 and £25,000, which is significantly increased should the player play, and, of course, score for the Magpies.
But, putting this into perspective, Jack Colback is on double Carroll's wages.
When asked last week about the make up of Carroll’s deal, head coach Steve Bruce said: “It’s all on incentives.
"With the structure of the deal the way it is that Andy signed up to, it can only be a no-brainer.
"He’s not the young Andy Carroll who left eight and a half years ago and with that maturity I hope that he can help with the younger players we've got, especially the forwards.”