The 25-year-old would ideally like to stay at St James’ Park but wants parity with other first-team regulars and has swapped agents in a bid to try and re-start contract negotiations. In an interview published yesterday he refuted claims of “greed”.
But we understand Alan Pardew has a new right-back top of his wanted list, and Simpson would drop down the pecking order.
Reports from London suggest Fulham are monitoring the long-running contract saga and could offer Simpson a deal ... which is said to be ... wait for it ... £25,000-a-week!
The Cottagers are ready to offer Simpson an escape route by tabling a £2million offer.
West Brom and Aston Villa also credited with an interest. But Villa’s change of manager means their interest may have cooled - leaving Fulham as the front-runners for Simpson’s signature.
Simpson: “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. I want to stay but if I have to move, then I will accept it and move on.”
According to the Journal: "United are investigating alternatives at right-back, with Magpies top brass looking at the possibility of switching Davide Santon from left-back and signing a versatile defender who can play in several positions.
"They also have a long-standing interest in Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy and Crystal Palace’s Nathaniel Clyne, although his price tag might prove prohibitive.
"If Santon was shifted then United could look to Erik Pieters as a possible alternative. The Holland left-back has been on United’s wanted list for more than two years – but he is injured at the moment."