Newcastle United's Danny Simpson Says He's "Not Greedy" Over Contract Talks

Danny Simpson insists he's not being greedy by refusing to sign a new deal at Newcastle United. The 25-year-old right full-back, who has been first choice in his position for the past three seasons, claims that he just wants to be put on level terms with the salaries of the players around him and it's not his intention to hold the club for ransom. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew revealed last week that the club had offered Simpson what he considered to be a great deal on his contract that expires next summer but if Simpson contented to be unwilling to renew, they would be forced to sell him this summer instead of losing him on a free transfer in twelve months. Simpson told today's edition of The Sunday Sun;

"I'm not a greedy player and I just want to be on par with the other players around me. In football terms, what I'm asking for is by no means outrageous." "I want to stay at this club and I've been saying that all season. I've recently had a baby, I'm happy here and so is my family. Hopefully me and the club can find some solution." €œI want to stay but if I have to move, then I will accept it and move on. Newcastle is a great club, what with 50,000 screaming Geordies at the game every week. Why would I want to leave?€ "There is speculation but I want to state, like I have all season, I want to stay. Over the last two years I've played nearly 80 games and started most of them.€ "I'm not being greedy, this club is on the up, the manager and staff are brilliant. I want to stay."

Simpson's current contract, which he signed when Newcastle were looking to drop their 6th highest wage bill in the country having just been relegated to the Championship, is believed to be worth around £10,000 or £15,000 a week. That is believed to be EIGHT times less than captain and fellow first team defender Fabricio Coloccini's £80,000 a week (source - goal.com) contract. It is unlikely that Simpson was looking for money similar to Coloccini but he likely wants to on level terms with the likes of Davide Santon and Steven Taylor, other first choice defenders. Newcastle have been linked with two right-backs that could be possible Danny Simpson replacements in recent weeks; Lille's Mathieu Debuchy (possibly the "close friend" of Yohan Cabaye that Pardew revealed last week that the Toon were in talks with) and Crystal Palace's out of contract 21-year-old defender Nathaniel Clyne.