Newcastle United have money to spend this summer but must weigh up how best to use their transfer budget with four big signings needed.
A kitty of around £100million is believed to be available to Eddie Howe and recruitment chiefs at St James’ Park, but with Newcastle wanting a goalkeeper, centre-half, right-winger and striker that money in this current climate won’t go far.
Marc Guehi’s transfer fee could be around £50m; Bryan Mbeumo was valued at £60m. To get four top-class signings Newcastle may well have to be creative and potentially look to raise more funds through player sales.
Who could – and should – they use to bolster the budget though? Our team of writers give their verdict on the squad.
Lee Ryder
Newcastle need to get the squad balanced out and while there are obvious candidates to go, such as Odysseas Vlachodimos, Matt Targett and Martin Dubravka. Sales for all three could be absorbed by the squad and will cut the wage bill.
The next question is whether it makes sense for both the player and the club for a sale. We know a sale for Sean Longstaff would give the club pure profit and hand the Geordie midfielder a longer deal elsewhere.
Kieran Trippier’s experience is there for all to see, but can the full-back benefit from another big financial move in the autumn of his career? Then there’s Joe Willock who started the season wanting to play for England but has been unable to command a place in the Newcastle midfield.
There are ways to raise funds this summer but the most unpopular strand of conversation has to be whether Newcastle sell a big hitter to raise money to bring a couple of stars. Would you take £150million for Alexander Isak if it meant two top class players coming in with the proceeds or can business be done with a rival for players plus cash for Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes?
With PSR still dominating the agenda, unfortunately nothing can be ruled out.
Ciaran Kelly
I think there is a delicate balance to strike this summer. Newcastle’s squad is already thin following Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron’s mid-season departures – neither were replaced, after all – and the Magpies should be looking to strengthen rather than having to allocate funds to recruit fringe players, too.
However, in a PSR world, Newcastle need to continue to trade and there are already enough options currently on the club’s books to offer cover if Odysseas Vlachodimos, Matt Targett and Sean Longstaff moved on.
For me, unless there are unbelievable offers, I would be wary of cashing in on someone like Harvey Barnes as it would leave Newcastle needing to spend a sizeable amount to bring in a direct replacement. Ditto Joe Willock if Longstaff was to move on as Newcastle would only have four senior central midfielders remaining to cope with the intensity of the Premier League, Champions League and the cups.
Aaron Stokes
Myself and Andrew Musgrove discussed this very topic on the latest episode of the Everything is Black and White podcast, with both of us essentially realising, once again, Newcastle United have limited sellable assets. Of course, they could recoup mega money for Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes or Sandro Tonali – but have no desire to offload any of those senior stars.
As for who could realistically leave, I’d be looking at the likes of Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos in between the sticks, along with Matt Targett in the backline. Any of Jamaal Lascelles, Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy could also depart despite offering the type of leadership Eddie Howe craves in his dressing room.
Further up the pitch, it promises to be an intriguing period regarding Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. The former may well stay put, despite not starting a Premier League match since December, given UEFA’s homegrown squad rules.
