According to talkSPORT, Schär is "far from guaranteed" to sign another extension after penning a short-term add-on last year. His current contract expires on June 30 and he has been sidelined since the turn of the year following ankle surgery, with a return now expected in May — leaving only a handful of games for him to make any case for staying.
Schär would join Kieran Trippier in departing the club this summer, with Newcastle having confirmed Trippier's exit over the Easter weekend. The timing of a potential Schär departure adds further complexity to Eddie Howe's defensive planning heading into the transfer window.
Howe spoke warmly about the Swiss defender before the international break. "He's certainly been a big miss for us. He's such a great user of the ball, and his passing range has been a huge miss to the team. And also his character, he's a great lad, and really well liked by his teammates. Hopefully, we can get him fit."
Schär himself has left the door open without committing. "I have said before that I feel at home here. I know in football you never know what happens and it goes quick. If that's something that can happen, that would be good. I would be open to it of course. We need to see what the situation is and what happens in the next few weeks. I will just try to show what I can do with my quality, and the rest we will see."
Reports suggest a new deal may only materialise if Newcastle secure European football for next season, with Schär and fellow out-of-contract defender Emil Krafth both likely to be offered terms in that scenario.
Schär has made over 250 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Deportivo La Coruña for just £3 million in 2018, scoring 22 goals including a famous strike in the 4-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain. He was part of the side that won the Carabao Cup last year, ending a 70-year domestic trophy drought for the club.