Newcastle transfers: Who’s safe, who’s for sale and who’s being tracked | OneFootball

Newcastle United Transfers: Howe’s Summer of Subtle Aggression

When Newcastle United’s board convenes to plot the next chapter of the club’s rejuvenation, the message from the dugout is clear: refresh, retain, and rise. Eddie Howe, typically understated yet unflinching in his ambitions, has acknowledged the need to inject quality into a squad at risk of going “stale”. Now, the task is to strike the delicate balance between safeguarding elite assets and smartly adding firepower ahead of a return to the Champions League stage.

Priorities Focused on Retention and Renewal

At the top of the agenda is Alexander Isak. Newcastle were bullish about keeping their marquee striker, whose trajectory has only accelerated since the club’s last Champions League qualification. Rebuffing interest in Isak and potentially tying him to a fresh contract – with discussions already floated – is a non-negotiable.

Alongside him, key figures like Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Tino Livramento are not for sale. This is a summer of strengthening, not scrambling. Unlike the previous window, Newcastle are not boxed in by Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), and their ambition is visible. The club’s hierarchy believes that two or three high-calibre additions can elevate this group from strong contenders to serial challengers, both domestically and in Europe.

Photo: IMAGO

Targets That Fit the Project

Newcastle’s approach in the transfer market is meticulous, driven by long-term vision rather than impulse. Their interest in Marc Guehi remains firm, a consequence of a failed pursuit last August. Guehi is held in high regard and sits atop a shortlist of central defenders following the club’s miss on Bournemouth’s Real Madrid-bound Dean Huijsen.

At right-sided forward, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo had been tracked closely and admired by the recruitment staff at St James’ Park. However, he is now intent on joining Manchester United. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga have also been monitored, alongside a list of European-based wingers.

Crucially, there is no interest in Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, despite links. The rationale is both fiscal and footballing. Newcastle already possess two top-tier left-wingers in Gordon and Harvey Barnes, and are unwilling to pay Grealish-level wages, especially for a player entering his thirties.

Between the posts, Newcastle remain attentive. Their previous bid for Burnley’s James Trafford was rejected, but the 22-year-old remains a target after a breakthrough campaign. Additionally, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia has caught the eye with an impressive season in Spain.

Up front, the club have shown intent. They have registered interest in Ipswich’s Liam Delap and his £30 million release clause, while Lille’s Jonathan David was previously tracked but now seems bound elsewhere. Brighton’s Joao Pedro is another name familiar to the scouts on Tyneside and remains a player of interest.

Post-takeover, Newcastle have stayed true to a clear age profile strategy: recruit elite players aged between 21 and 23 who can grow with the club. It is a model that blends performance with potential and is being pursued whether talent is found in the Premier League or on the continent.

Outgoings to Watch

While the focus remains on arrivals, departures will naturally play a role. Sean Longstaff, the only senior “club-trained” player, is entering the final year of his contract. Should Newcastle cash in, it would be “pure profit” in PSR terms. Yet, his homegrown status makes him valuable for European squad registration.

Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes are players Howe would prefer to retain, though strong offers might test that stance. Kieran Trippier, the experienced right-back and dressing room leader, has also been linked with an exit, but Howe still sees his value both on and off the pitch.

Odysseas Vlachodimos, the £20 million goalkeeper with only one substitute appearance, is available for transfer, and Martin Dubravka’s future is also uncertain, despite signing an extension in January. Matt Targett is another who could move, while Isaac Hayden is expected to seek a new club, having no place in Howe’s plans. Australia international Garang Kuol could also be sold.

The club remain adamant that their core of Isak, Gordon, Livramento and Tonali will not be broken up this summer.

Loans and Long-Term Planning

Lewis Miley has attracted attention from across Europe, yet a loan deal seems improbable. The 19-year-old is tipped for a key squad role next season as Newcastle juggles domestic and European commitments. William Osula’s development is under review, and while a loan move could offer consistent game-time, the club also values his presence as a squad player who benefits from daily work under Howe’s coaching team.

Moves Already Underway

Newcastle have already made some decisions that shape their summer. They have opted against triggering the one-year extension in Callum Wilson’s contract. Although discussions have taken place over a more incentive-driven deal, the 33-year-old looks likely to depart.

Lloyd Kelly’s initial free transfer move to Newcastle will now see a £20 million return as his loan to Juventus becomes permanent, despite making just four league starts. Jamal Lewis, out of contract, will leave on a free. One notable arrival is Antonio Cordero, the highly-rated 18-year-old winger from Malaga, who turned down interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona to join Newcastle’s under-21 squad. His promotional photos have already been completed.

Budgeting with PSR in Mind

When it comes to the budget, specifics are elusive, largely due to deal structuring and amortisation. However, the internal message is that business could mirror the activity from two summers ago, when Newcastle were last preparing for a Champions League run. That year saw significant investment in Tonali and Barnes, alongside promising talents like Livramento and Lewis Hall, totalling approximately £130 million, plus a deferred £28 million for Hall.

Crucially, Newcastle are not facing the same PSR pressure as last year, thanks in part to the January exits of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly. Howe has publicly stated that PSR is no longer the restrictive force it once was, though the club still operate with caution regarding transfer fees and, especially, wages.

This pragmatic approach to squad building is reflective of Newcastle’s broader philosophy: smart business, elite mentality, and developmental planning. The squad that stormed into the Premier League’s upper echelons is now being primed for the next phase. Champions League nights are returning to St James’ Park, and with them, a renewed sense of purpose and potential.