Sib snubs one-year offer

12 April 2012

Newcastle striker Antoine Sibierski has rejected the offer of a new one-year contract.

The 32-year-old Frenchman's agent Willie McKay revealed the Magpies have only offered the former Lens player - who was a free transfer from Manchester City last summer - a 12-month contract, and that he has turned that down.

McKay told PA Sport: "Antoine has been offered a one-year deal, but he wants two years. His wife and family are still based in Manchester, and it would be a big upheaval to move and change schools for one year."

He added: "At the moment, he has been offered one year and he is looking elsewhere.

"If he were to be offered two years, his preference is to sign for Newcastle.

"At this stage of his career, he feels he still has two or three years at the highest level, so if they came up with a two-year deal, he would sign it gladly."

Sibierski was snapped up on the final day of the summer transfer window last year as former manager Glenn Roeder sought to plug the gap left by Michael Owen's long-term knee injury.

Newcastle had earlier invested £10million in Nigerian frontman Obafemi Martins, but the former France youth international brought added firepower, versatility and experience to a relatively small squad.

In all, Sibierski, who is currently recovering from the broken arm he suffered at Reading on April 30, scored eight goals in 25 starts and 12 appearances as a substitute, including vital strikes in the UEFA Cup clashes with Levadia Tallinn in Estonia and Fenerbahce and Celta Vigo at home.

His failure to sign a new deal leaves boss Sam Allardyce to cope with further uncertainty in the striking department with question marks over the futures on Tyneside of £17million record signing Owen and Martins.

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