Newcastle United's English defender #02 Kieran Trippier (L), Newcastle United's English goalkeeper #01 Nick Pope (C) and Newcastle United's Swedish defender #17 Emil Krafth arrive ahed of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English defender #02 Kieran Trippier (L), Newcastle United's English goalkeeper #01 Nick Pope (C) and Newcastle United's Swedish defender #17 Emil Krafth arrive ahed of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) | AFP via Getty Images
One of Newcastle United’s senior players has been linked with a January exit.
Krafth is into his seventh season at St James’ Park after joining from French club Amiens for £5million in the summer of 2019.
The 31-year-old has gone on to make 106 appearances, though is probably best remembered for his role in helping to keep Newcastle in the Premier League in the 2021-22 season.
Kieran Trippier joined from Atletico Madrid in the January, but a fractured foot saw Krafth brought into the side at right-back and his performances earned him the nickname “Krafu”.
At the start of the 2022-23 season, the Sweden international was dealt a cruel blow, with an ACL injury sustained in a Carabao Cup tie at Tranmere Rovers keeping him sidelined for over a year.
While Krafth hasn’t seen much game time since returning, he is regarded as a hugely valued and respected member of Eddie Howe’s squad.
Eddie Howe waxes lyrical about Emil Krafth
Waxing lyrical about Krafth’s behind-the-scenes conduct, Howe said previously: “In my opinion, with a squad, you can’t have 20 players that always expect to play every minute of every game. You need a balance to the squad.
“Krafthy is incredibly driven and wants to play, as do all the players in the squad, but I think there is different dynamics and different personalities needed to make the squad harmonious. Emil is one of those people who helps create a really good environment, whether he’s playing or not.
“There are several members of the squad that I could speak the same of that have had incredible impacts that don’t necessarily get the credit they deserve but play a huge part, and Emil would be one of those. Those kinds of players are always so invaluable to me.
"He’s just such an unassuming, brilliant professional. Really hard working, so dependable. When you meet him, you instantly like him. He is a very good player and underrated by the outside world. Internally, we love him, and you can see his qualities. We really value him."
Emil Krafth attracting interest ahead of January transfer window
Heading into the January transfer window, Newcastle will have a decision to make when it comes to Krafth’s future, with the full-back out of contract at the end of the season.
As per Mail Sport, Champions League outfit FC Copenhagen are monitoring Krafth’s situation and could make their move in January. The Magpies must decide whether to cash in or lose him for free in the summer, or indeed offer him a new deal.
Despite his place in the pecking order, Krafth is open to extending his stay on Tyneside with he and his young family settled here.
After signing a one-year contract extension earlier this year, Krafth said: “We’ve been speaking for a while, but now everything is done and we’re very happy, both me and my family. And I mean, it says a lot when you’ve been here this long. This is my sixth season.
“I think that says it all, basically, in terms of how much we like it here and enjoy it living-wise, football-wise and everything. Both me and the family are very happy with the extension. We said since the first day we came here how nice people are. Very kind and friendly and, of course, the club has a big part in it.
“I’ve always felt like I was at home here, both player-wise and staff-wise to you guys. And I always felt, even through injury, like I played a part in it even though I was injured. I always felt like I was part of the group, even though I’d been injured with my knee, my ACL and also with my collarbone. I’ve always been around the lads and tried to push them.”
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