Joe Willock and Aaron Ramsdale to leave? - Newcastle update from Keith Downie

Keith Downie has claimed that there could be as many as eight changes to Newcastle United's squad this summer.

There is expected to be a lot of change at Newcastle this summer after a difficult season. Not just in terms of playing staff, but also there's expected to be a change from Eddie Howe in terms of how he sets up his teams and approaches the season as a whole.

That is likely to start with changing personnel in the squad, with a few first-team players expected to leave at the end of this season.

Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier are all expected to leave when their contracts expire with no new deals on the table as things stand. However, they aren't likely to be the only ones shown the door.

According to Sky Sports' Keith Downie, Joe Willock is 'likely' to be sold this summer now he's entering the last 12 months of his contract, and Aaron Ramsdale is unlikely to see his initial loan turned into a permanent move.

Newcastle set for goalkeeper overhaul?

Newcastle are continuing their search for a new goalkeeper despite having recently turned to Aaron Ramsdale over Nick Pope.

Long-term target James Trafford is likely to remain of interest, and Brighton's Bart Verbruggen has come into the conversation recently, with RC Lens' Robin Risser also linked just last week.

It's a bit of a blow to Ramsdale, who has performed in patches when called upon, but Newcastle's clean sheet record this season has been horrific and the former Arsenal man hasn't always looked convincing, even if his ball-playing ability is superior to Pope's.

Ramsdale was recently recalled to the England squad after pushing Pope out of the No. 1 spot, but that clearly hasn't been enough to convince Eddie Howe and the recruitment team to make his move a permanent one.

Willock exit on the cards for a while

This could also be the window we finally see Joe Willock move on. The former Arsenal man has been linked with a move away in each of the last few windows, with the likes of Crystal Palace and Fulham thought to be keen.

Somewhere in there is a good player, but he lacks the consistency, in form or fitness, we need to compete at the level we've got our eyes on. Maybe he needs a run of games to get up to speed, but we just have too many better players ahead of him in the queue to be able to offer him that kind of time.

We'll never forget Willock for that run of seven goals in seven games when he was on loan from Arsenal, but if we're being honest, he peaked at that time, and while he's had some really good games since, he's not lived up to that early promise.

Willock will have just 12-months remaining on his contract this summer, so it's the perfect time to cash in while we can still get something for him.