Newcastle plan four signings and two big earners could move on - The Telegraph
After a total lack of first-team additions over the past three transfer windows and January outgoings to further boost the club's financial position, it simply has to be a big summer at St. James' Park.
Several areas of the squad have gone stale and fresh investment feels essential to improve Eddie Howe's side, who are up against it in our push for Champions League qualification after a three-game ban for Anthony Gordon and a season-ending injury to Lewis Hall.
However, with the accounts for 2023/24 showing financial growth earlier this week and Darren Eales speaking positively about our plans - on and off the pitch - heading into the summer, there are still plenty of reasons to be positive as a Newcastle United fan.
With that in mind, fresh details have emerged on the positions we look set to target, along with three players expected to depart to trim our wage bill and further improve our PSR position...
Newcastle's four transfer priorities
Newcastle are targeting four key signings this summer with significant investment to be expected on Tyneside if Luke Edwards’ recent report in The Telegraph is accurate.
Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka have tussled for a starting spot this season, but it's believed another goalkeeper is expected to arrive, with James Trafford a longstanding target who has been tipped to arrive irrespective of the Clarets' push for promotion.
A centre-back is also being considered a priority by the board with both Fabian Schar and Dan Burn showing their age in recent weeks.
Sven Botman’s recurring knee issues are starting to become a concern, but a right-sided centre back arriving seems most likely after the club tried and failed to land Abdukodir Khusanov - now at Man City - and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi over the last two transfer windows.
Unsurprisingly Newcastle are also in the market for a right-winger. Jacob Murphy has enjoyed his best season in a black-and-white but names linked, such as Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Johan Bakayoko, would offer a marked and long overdue improvement on the Englishman, also adding depth following Miguel Almiron's January exit.
Another striker is said to be on the cards, too. Regardless of Alexander Isak's future, we've lacked a fit and firing alternative to the Swede all season and could see Callum Wilson depart, which brings us on nicely to outgoings.
Trippier, Wilson and Longstaff to be moved on?
The Telegraph also report that Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson’s significant wages are poised to be removed from Newcastle’s bill this summer, with both high earners who have passed their peak years at 34 and 33.
Edwards adds that Sean Longstaff and 'other squad players' could also be sold, with player trading likely to further improve our PSR position and allow for a number of much needed incomings to refresh what has become a stale squad.
Wilson’s contract expires in the summer and this news suggests we're unlikely to exercise the one-year extension clause that can be activated before the end of the season. The 33-year-old has struggled more than ever with injuries this campaign, and has looked far from his former self when called upon.
A statement signing in January 2022 saw Trippier switch the red-and-white stripes of Atletico Madrid for the black-and-white of the Toon. Initially an instrumental figure in our back line, several errors in 2023/24 opened the door for Tino Livramento to hold down a spot in the defence.
Talk of Longstaff departing has followed him his whole career, going back to the £50m links to Manchester United a few years back.
Now considered behind Lewis Miley and Joe Willock in the pecking order, the 27-year-old academy product has earned the right for first team minutes elsewhere, with this summer also our final chance to land a decent fee with his contract up in just over 12 months time.
