"50-50 chance" - Two Newcastle players facing uncertain future ahead of big summer

Newcastle need to become more ruthless sellers, not only to raise the level of our first-team squad, but also to help us remain in a healthy PSR position in the years ahead.

Miguel Almiron departed in January and we've had news that Lloyd Kelly's permanent move to Juventus has now been triggered, earning us £15m plus add-ons.

But who else could depart this summer as we look to move on certain fringe men who've been struggling for minutes under Eddie Howe this season?

Wilson and Longstaff latest

The futures of Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff remain unclear, with The Mail’s Craig Hope offering an update on the club's current position in a recent Q&A. 

Wilson’s troublesome injury record has seen him struggling for minutes and goals this season. Hamstring and back issues this campaign has seen him injured for almost 200 days, while his last Premier League goal came against Burnley last year.

Longstaff meanwhile has slipped further down the pecking order, with just 107 Premier League minutes since Lewis Miley returned from injury away to Ipswich Town in December. 

With Wilson's deal set expire this summer and Longstaff's contract running out in 12 months, here is what Craig Hope has had to say on both, rating Wilson's exit at a '50-50 chance' while Longstaff's next steps depending on several factors.

'Callum Wilson would appear to have a 50-50 chance of staying right now. He’s out of contract and, to stay, he would almost certainly have to re-negotiate a deal to include appearance-based incentives, given his injury record.

'I can reveal there was a set number of games that would have invoked an automatic extension in Wilson’s contract, but they will not be met. Don’t forget, it could also be the player who fancies a new challenge - especially if an offer comes from abroad - rather than the club showing him the door."

'Sean Longstaff’s future will be dictated as much by Longstaff himself. He isn’t in the worst position, with 12 months to run on his contract and a European campaign to come next season. It might be that he waits to go on a free.

'Ideally, for the club, they would want to recoup a fee for him this summer. That, however, needs a buyer and needs the player to want to go. It’s not a clearcut situation, this one.' 

Right time to replace both?

The summer woes of 2024 have for the most part been forgotten about after a successful season, but the need to become better sellers remains if we want to maximise our budget and trim to wage bill where appropriate. 

For me, it feels the correct time to move on the pair, who have both put in some stint in black-and-white.

As we look to mix it with football's elite next season, time for sentimentality has passed and it would be a waste not to take the opportunity to secure pure profit on boyhood Mag Longstaff, who has been linked with a £12m move today.

Wilson’s situation is an interesting one. He could stay for another season as a third choice, providing we sign a more reliable option to compete with Alexander Isak, but has he shown enough in recent cameos to warrant another deal? 

If he stays, his wages must be lowered in line with his diminishing contributions, especially if he is kept more so for his influence off the pitch, much like Jamaal Lascelles.