Eddie Howe currently has 28 first team players on his books, not including those under 21 who do not take up a squad space, and must cut this to 25 within the next two weeks.
Sky Sports recently revealed that ‘3-5’ outgoings look likely between now and September 1st, but who could they be?
Following the arrival of Nick Pope, Newcastle now has four goalkeepers on their books, and Karl Darlow seems the most likely to move. The 31-year-old was linked to Manchester United earlier in the window as part of a potential swap deal with Dean Henderson, who has since joined Nottingham Forest.
After Joelinton’s resurgence to a fierce central-midfielder, and plenty of other good options in the middle of the park, Matty Longstaff will struggle to get a break into this first team this season.
Despite impressing on loan at Mansfield Town in the latter half of the season, scoring six times in 16 appearances, Longstaff is unlikely to move up the pecking order this campaign and another loan move may suit the 22-year-old.
Even though Ciaran Clark has departed, Federico Fernández still finds himself the bottom of a pile of five centre-backs following the signings of both Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
With only one year left on the Argentinian’s contract, this may be Newcastle’s last chance to recoup some of the £6m fee, paid to Swansea in 2018, for the 33-year-old that only started five Premier League games in 2021/22.
It is also possible that one of Newcastle’s four options at left back are shown the door this summer. In my opinion, of the four the most likely to depart would be Jamal Lewis on a loan deal to help build up his game time after being left out of the 25-man-squad in the second half of last season.
Howe is desperate to keep long-term aide and mentality monster Matt Ritchie under contract, despite the Scotsman rumoured to be interested in a move away for family reasons. Meanwhile it would prove an unpopular decision among the fans to move on hometown, academy graduate Paul Dummett – who can also offer cover at centre-back.
It goes without saying that Matt Targett’s first team status is under no doubt after his successful loan spell last season, which in my mind leaves only Lewis.
The same could be said down the other flank. Kieran Trippier is a key player and Emil Krafth – who has proven himself to be a very able deputy – has just signed a new one-year extension, leaving Javier Manquillo’s future in serious doubt.
Who do you think are the most likely to be moved on?
