Exclusive: Newcastle could now sign one of three former players to fill UEFA requirement

Ahead of next season’s Champions League, Eddie Howe and Newcastle United will have to take a deep look at the current squad.

And that’s for more than just the quality and depth available, but if it actually meets strict UEFA requirements, which after the upcoming transfer window might not be the case.

But after some recent releases and familiar names have now become available as free agents, one or two former Mags could return to boost the club's homegrown quota.

Newcastle face ‘local player’ dilemma

Ahead of playing in the Champions League, we will need to have homegrown players within our team in order to meet quotas imposed by UEFA.

The rules read that Newcastle must have a minimum of four players who were registered with the club for a minimum of three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

Currently, the only player in the squad who meets that criteria is Sean Longstaff, who played a big part in our last Champions League campaign, including grabbing the third goal against PSG in that famous 4-1 win.

But Longstaff is a player linked with a move away to the likes of Leeds and Everton this summer, which would leave us short in the “locally trained players” department.

So, who could be back on their way to Tyneside in the coming weeks in time for our European exploits?

Three homegrown options under consideration

There’s currently an abundance of goalkeepers currently on Newcastle’s books; Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy. 

However, we could look to bring in one or two more to meet UEFA homegrown quotas, with at least two of the above options expected to depart this summer.

Freddie Woodman enjoyed tenuous links to Manchester United a few weeks ago, with the current Preston showstopper set to enjoy another season in the Championship.

Tim Krul is due to be released by Luton Town after the club endured back-to-back relegations, and was starting for us way back in the 2012/13 Europa League.

But the most feasible candidate is Fraser Forster, who was just released by Spurs days after their Europa League triumph, and boasts experience in the Champions League.

Of course, we still have to facilitate the departure of a number of goalkeepers before we even consider bringing new players in.

John Ruddy is expected with his contract unlikely to be renewed, but there’s still no clear indicator over where Dubravka and Vlachodimos in particular will play next season.

Nick Pope will be hoping to start for us in the Champions League next season, although twists and turns could occur around that No 1 role, with Burnley's James Trafford a long-term target.