Newcastle United are confident of not losing defender Federico Fernandez at the end of the season.

The Evening Chronicle says Fernandez has attracted interest from clubs in Russia, China and the Middle East but the Newcastle defender wants to stay St James' Park.

The Argentine's contract expires in the summer and he is now free to speak to overseas clubs.

While Fernandez has yet to hold talks with Magpies' chiefs about a new deal, the player's camp insist 'they still have time' to sort out a new contract.

Fernandez is happy in Newcastle - his two daughters were born in the UK and the family have adapted to life on Tyneside - and would love to stay at the club for many years to come.

Newcastle do have the option to trigger a one-year extension on the 31-year-old's current deal.