St Mirren: Dummett and Newton offered Newcastle deals

Conor Newton and Paul Dummett have been offered new contracts by parent club Newcastle United but could yet sign permanently for St Mirren for free.

Although no agreement has been struck, offering the on-loan pair deals means that the Magpies will be entitled to compensation should they move on.

Bolton Wanderers, Huddersfield Town and Doncaster are thought to be interested.

But agent Spencer Downey expects United to wave their right to a fee should they sign permanently for St Mirren.

With Buddies manager Danny Lennon thought to be keen on keeping midfielder Newton and defender Dummett at the Scottish Premier League club, Newcastle will instead demand a sell-on clause in the 21-year-olds' contracts.

"Newcastle have offered the lads contract extensions, but the talks are on-going," said Downey, who represents the Geordie duo.

"There is still an agreement to be reached on matters like the lengths of the contracts, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.

"Nothing has been decided yet and there is interest from other clubs.

"But Newcastle have been impressed by the way Conor and Paul have been treated during their time in Scotland and have agreed that, if they do sign for Saints permanently, they will not ask for the compensation fee they are entitled to.

"Instead, they will just ask for a sell-on clause to be inserted in their contracts that will see them take a share of any future profit."

Left-back Dummett arrived in Scotland last summer and with Newton following that path in January.

The midfielder has made 17 appearances for Lennon's team and scored his first goal for the club in the 3-2 Scottish Communities League Cup final win over Hearts at Hampden.

Newcastle-born Newton still dreams of playing for his hometown club but admits St Mirren may be a better move for him in the short-term.

"I haven't accepted the deal from Newcastle yet, we're still talking, but I know that other clubs have been on to my agent," he said.

"I owe a lot to St Mirren. It's been a great season for me, but nothing has been put down on paper about a permanent move here.

"But it would be an option I'd consider as I've loved my time up here.

"It's still early for me. I would like to test myself down south at some point in my career, but I've only been playing first-team football for the past four months, so I'm not naive enough to think I'm just going to walk into the side at Newcastle.

"So the next few months are crucial for my development.

"But I would love to make it at Newcastle and get a chance to play in those black and white stripes.

"It's what every lad from the city dreams of. Right now, though, I will just bide my time."