Anthony Gordon was sold for €80million (£69m, $92.3m) and Ewen Jaouen was signed for £18.5m before the transfer window even opened, hinting at the volume of business Newcastle United must conduct this summer.
Combining incomings and outgoings, the number of players Newcastle trade is likely to stretch well into double figures.
A new phase of Eddie Howe’s tenure is underway and it requires a reduction in the squad’s average age and a significant player turnover.
The Athletic has conducted an in-depth audit of Newcastle’s squad by position, looking at who they are determined to keep and who face uncertain futures…
Goalkeeper
Keep
Ewen Jaouen (contracted until 2030), Mark Gillespie (2027)
Beyond Jaouen, Newcastle might sign another two goalkeepers, entirely revamping the department.
Newcastle opted against signing Aaron Ramsdale permanently after his loan, John Ruddy has departed and although Gillespie will continue as a training goalkeeper, signing a third-choice is the minimum requirement.
Jaouen, 20, is viewed as a huge prospect but the expectation is that he will take time to acclimatise and make the step up to the Premier League.
There is an outside chance that, should Jaouen really impress during pre-season, he will begin the new campaign between the posts. But the likelihood is he will start his Newcastle career as a deputy, competing with and pushing the No 1 — though the identity of that starting goalkeeper remains unclear.
Uncertain
Nick Pope (2027)
For three seasons, Pope was a magnificent shot-stopper for Newcastle — but it feels unimaginable that the club could begin the season with the England international as first choice, given his increasingly unpredictable performances.
Newcastle’s long-term admiration for Manchester City’s James Trafford has not gone away, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen and Lens’ Robin Risser have been tracked. Should a new No 1 arrive, then Pope is expected to be given the option to explore a move elsewhere.
However, due to a lack of numbers, if Newcastle fail to sign another established goalkeeper, Howe could not sanction the 34-year-old’s exit.
Nick Pope is unlikely to start next season as Newcastle’s No 1 (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Likely to leave
Odysseas Vlachodimos (2029)
The 32-year-old goalkeeper spent 2025-26 on loan at Sevilla, impressing across 33 appearances in La Liga, and is attracting interest from Spain. He is available, though another temporary move may make more financial sense for Newcastle. A sale would affect their squad-cost rules (SCR) situation since he cost the club £20m in 2024, a move influenced by profit and sustainability rules. Vlachodimos does not have a first-team future under Howe.
Centre-back
Keep
Sven Botman (2030), Malick Thiaw (2029), Dan Burn (2027), Fabian Schar (2027)
In the spring, it felt likely Newcastle would be looking to bring in a younger right-sided centre-half to compete with Thiaw, the 24-year-old who made 51 starts during an impressive first season on Tyneside.
But having agreed a 12-month extension for Schar — the 34-year-old has accepted a reduced salary and is willing to take on more of a backup role, having missed the second half of 2025-26 due to injury — the need to acquire a promising defender has lessened.
It is not out of the question that Newcastle move for a young centre-half, should one they hold a long-term admiration for prove attainable — Giovanni Leoni was a primary target last summer, only for Liverpool to snatch the Parma defender — though Howe seems content with Thiaw, Schar, Botman (who signed a contract extension this month) and Burn.
Schar accepted a one-year deal on reduced salary and will take on more of a backup role (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Uncertain/Likely to leave
Central defence is the one area where significant upheaval is not anticipated.
While some fans have suggested Newcastle need to move beyond Burn, the 34-year-old has another 12 months on his deal, plus an option for a further season. Howe values Burn’s leadership — Newcastle have already lost Kieran Trippier’s experience — and versatility, given he can also play at left-back, even if many supporters would rather the Geordie was used in that position less.
Full-back
Keep
Lewis Hall (2029)
At least one full-back will be acquired.
Although Manchester United hold an interest in Hall, Newcastle have the 21-year-old tied down until 2029. It would require a huge offer for Newcastle to consider selling Hall, who, despite being dropped late in the season, was a standout performer across 2025-26 and has a very promising future.
With right-backs Trippier and Emil Krafth having already departed, Newcastle require depth on both flanks — beyond Burn and Tino Livramento switching sides, there is no natural senior deputy for Hall — and bringing in a player who is comfortable playing in either position would be beneficial. Lewis Miley is an option at right-back, though regular game-time in his natural midfield position would be preferable.
Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys and Toulouse’s Dayann Methalie were discussed as options in January.
Lewis Hall is in demand, but under contract until 2029 (Newcastle United/Getty Images)
Uncertain
Tino Livramento (2028), Leo Shahar (unknown)
At the beginning of 2026, there was a growing expectation that Livramento would leave this summer, with Manchester City and Arsenal long-term admirers. Yet the 23-year-old’s persistent injury problems — Livramento managed only 14 Premier League starts across 2025-26 — have cast doubt over whether anyone will move for the right-back.
Yet should Livramento impress at the World Cup with England, his ability to play on both flanks and his age mean it is not beyond the realms of possibility someone makes an offer, even if it seems more likely he will now stay. With only two years remaining on Livramento’s contract, it will be interesting to see whether Newcastle attempt to reopen talks over an extension.
Shahar, meanwhile, made his first-team debut off the bench in the Champions League last season. The 19-year-old requires regular minutes, so a loan move feels preferable, though the right-back may only be permitted to go if and when Newcastle bring in full-backs.
Likely to leave
Alex Murphy (2028), Harrison Ashby (2027)
Across 2025-26, Murphy was named in 44 matchday squads and yet made only six appearances, with a solitary start in the Champions League second-leg tie against Qarabag, when Newcastle were already 6-1 up. Seemingly, Howe does not fully trust the 21-year-old, and it feels like it is time for Murphy, who can play at left-back or centre-half, to leave so he can play regularly.
Ashby joined Newcastle in January 2023 from West Ham United and has never made a first-team appearance. The 24-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Bradford City in League One and an exit seems inevitable this summer.
Harrison Ashby signed from West Ham in 2023 but looks certain to leave Newcastle this summer (Serena Taylor/Getty Images)
Midfield
Keep
Bruno Guimaraes (2028), Lewis Miley (2032), Jacob Ramsey (2030)
At 28, if Guimaraes retains the desire to play for an elite club, this summer may present his best opportunity. The Brazilian has been linked with a move, though Newcastle are expected to intensify contract talks with their captain, who is entering the final two years of his deal.
Although Newcastle need to become less reliant on their talisman, allowing Guimaraes to depart would be almost unthinkable, given his importance and Tonali’s unclear future.
Tying Miley down to a six-year contract last month was an important move by the club and Newcastle want to build their side around their academy graduate. The 20-year-old has the versatility to play as a No 6, No 8, right-back or even centre-half, but 2026-27 should be the season he emerges as a regular starting midfielder, once he recovers from his broken leg.
During an up-and-down first season on Tyneside, Ramsey ended the campaign with positive momentum and the 25-year-old has the athleticism, but more importantly the technical proficiency, to help Newcastle improve their on-the-ball approach.
Uncertain
Sandro Tonali (2029), Joelinton (2028), Sam Alabi (unknown)
With Gordon having already departed, losing Tonali too would mean Newcastle will have sold three of their best players (Alexander Isak being the other) inside a year. That does not provide a great signal to supporters about the club’s ambitions, though the hierarchy are determined to ‘normalise’ the trading of players, even stars, outwards.
Tonali’s deal runs until 2029, but he is effectively tied to Newcastle until 2030, given they have the unilateral ability to extend his contract by a further year. They will demand a high fee for the 26-year-old, especially if the midfielder market becomes inflated should Elliot Anderson, the former Newcastle academy graduate, move for north of £100m.
Tonali celebrates scoring in the FA Cup Fourth Round match at Aston Villa in February (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Some at Newcastle expect Tonali to leave, meaning at least one midfielder would be required. A like-for-like replacement would be difficult to source, with a more traditional No 6 or a press-resistant passer among the potential routes Newcastle may go down.
While Joelinton is expected to stay, the 29-year-old has suffered a series of injuries and, for some games at least, having a technical player such as Ramsey in midfield may prove beneficial. Joelinton has two years left on his contract and Newcastle may listen to substantial offers.
Alabi was named in four senior matchday squads last season and the 16-year-old has impressed first-team coaching staff. He may get further exposure during pre-season.
Likely to leave
Joe Willock (2027), Joe White (2027)
Newcastle will listen to offers for Willock. The 26-year-old is entering the final 12 months of his contract, and the expectation is that Willock, who is essentially sixth-choice midfielder when everyone is fit (even if he enjoyed a late-season run in the side), will depart.
That would require Willock to be replaced, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara, Auxerre’s Kevin Danois and Porto’s Victor Froholdt among the midfielders watched.
White spent 2025-26 on loan at Leyton Orient and Bradford and the 23-year-old attacking midfielder is not part of Howe’s first-team plans.
Attack
Keep
Will Osula (2029)
The breakout story of Newcastle’s season. Isak was sold on deadline day, Gordon was tried as a striker and the club spent a combined £119m on Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, but Osula ended the campaign as first-choice centre-forward.
With seven goals in 24 league games, at a rate of a goal every 116 minutes, he warranted that status and the 22-year-old, who appeared destined to be sold last summer, feels the most secure of all Newcastle’s attackers. Osula looks set to start next season leading the line.
Uncertain
Jacob Murphy (2027), Anthony Elanga (2030), Harvey Barnes (2028), Nick Woltemade (2031), Yoane Wissa (2029), Sean Neave (unknown)
Gordon has already left, and there is a chance other attackers will follow — even if all those senior forwards will probably remain.
Newcastle have explored the possibility of selling Wissa, yet they could probably only recoup a fraction of the £55m spent last year, making an exit for the 29-year-old unlikely. Howe is still trying to find the right position and system to extract the most from Woltemade, but the 24-year-old is also set to stay.
Nick Woltemade is still finding his ideal role at Newcastle (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
None of the three strikers is expected to leave, meaning no senior centre-forward is likely to be acquired, either. Neave, the 19-year-old who made his first-team debut last season, looks ready for a loan.
Out wide, Murphy is 31 and Newcastle would consider allowing him to leave, though firm interest is yet to arrive. Elanga had a difficult first year on Tyneside, but Howe believes the 24-year-old will come good.
Aston Villa hold an interest in Barnes and, although the 28-year-old is entering the final 24 months of his deal, he scored 16 goals last season and Newcastle would ideally hope to retain him.
An attacker to replace Gordon is a top priority, with versatility to play in multiple positions across the front line preferred, and two forwards could yet arrive.
Osasuna’s Victor Munoz is admired, with the 22-year-old Spain international appearing to fit the profile of attacker they are looking to acquire. Union Saint-Gilloise’s Anan Khalaili has also been watched, alongside Koln’s Said El Mala and Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure. Offensive additions are likely to arrive from overseas.
Likely to leave
Park Seung-soo (unknown), Antonio Cordero (2030)
After spending a season with Newcastle’s under-21s, 19-year-old Park may be ready for a loan.
Cordero had a testing loan at Westerlo before a more positive spell at Cadiz last season and the 19-year-old winger may be given a chance to impress during pre-season. Another loan is expected, however.
