While so much of the focus is understandably on incomings after three windows without a major signing, Newcastle will also be looking to trade and sell certain players at the right time.

Our PSR situation is much improved, as Eddie Howe said himself in an end-of-season press conference, but selling certain players could make sense and boost our budget even further if the timing is right.

The club are not under any pressure to sell star players, unlike last June. However, a couple of squad men have been linked with summer departures once again today.

Midfield duo set for moves?

Squad depth will be a key factor next season, but losing one or two could benefit our rebuild this summer, and reports today suggest Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff are likely to depart.

The Mail report that the midfield duo are ‘expected’ to find new clubs this summer, with Premier League clubs showing interest in the pair.

The piece states that Leeds are keen to sign Longstaff following their promotion back to the Premier League, while Everton have also been credited with long-standing interest in the 27-year-old, who has 12 months left on his contract.

As for Willock, The Mail reveal that Crystal Palace are keen to bring him back to London, while Fulham were named as a potential suitor by The Mirror’s Ian Murtagh last week.

Howe has always spoken highly of the pair, but with Longstaff now sixth in the midfield pecking order and Willock looking out of sorts for much of the 2024/25 season, the boss may have accepted it’s time to sell both?

The right time to sell – but replacements needed

Selling one of the two has been mentioned on several occasions, but seeing both depart would require at least one midfielder to arrive.

Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton have nailed down our starting midfield slots for much of 2024/25, with Lewis Miley an able deputy and in need of more opportunities. However, we could not go into a Champions League campaign and season competing on four fronts with just four options.

Coventry’s Jack Rudoni has been scouted and may be a cut-price replacement for Longstaff, while Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa has been linked today as a potential £30m Willock replacement.

Moving abroad, there has also been links to Christantus Uche of Getafe and Genk’s highly-rated Ibrahima Sory Bangoura.