Newcastle ready to sacrifice five players to free up future spending?

It seems Newcastle United’s PSR issues aren’t going away anytime soon and it’s been mentioned on several occasions now that we must become better sellers to work within the tedious financial rules that continue to hold us back.

With that in mind, it’s interesting to see what local journalist Mark Douglas has had to say in his latest piece for the i.

In this, the North East reporter reveals that Sporting Director Paul Mitchell ‘believes the club need to start trading more effectively’ to get ourselves in a position to do any ‘big business.’ But, who could go?

Six Mags available?

In his latest piece for the i, Douglas reveals that we’re open to offers Miguel Almiron and Martin Dubravka, but may also listen to bids for Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff.

It feels like it's Almiron's time to go and The Telegraph recently reported that he will be allowed to leave in January, although it remains to be seen if appropriate offers will arrive for the Paraguayan.

The one 'surprise' in this list may be Barnes, who would represent a £38m mistake if we looked to sell the winger less than 18 months on from a big-money move from Leicester.

Barnes is more than capable at Premier League level, highlighted by his four goals in 607 minutes of league action this season, but he feels like a luxury member of the squad who does not feature in Howe's best 11 should Gordon start in his preferred position down the left.

Wilson is out of contract next summer, meaning January may be our last chance to secure a fee for the 32-year-old, while Longstaff  - who set to sign a one-year extension to 2026 - could recoup 'pure profit' as a homegrown player who may be replaced by teenage sensation Lewis Miley in the years ahead.

Big guns going nowhere

The same report states that Newcastle won’t even entertain January bids for any of our ‘Crown jewels’, with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes considered too important to even consider losing mid-season.

There's fears within the fanbase that one may have to go in the not too distant future if we fail to qualify for Europe or need a major sale to help fund a squad overhaul, but it seems our star trio will be going nowhere this winter and rightly so.

Whatever happens next, whether it be January or next summer, it's clear that 'player trading' is key and something we must become more ruthless with to navigate the tedious world PSR.