Eight contract decisions facing Newcastle United including former Chelsea and Liverpool-linked ace

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window is already underway as the Magpies look to bolster their squad in preparation for their return to the Champions League.

A deal for Odense’s highly-rated young winger Yankuba Minteh is believed to be close, with the Gambia international reportedly set to undergo a medical on Tyneside in the coming days after United agreed a £6m deal with his Danish club. Several other transfer targets are being discussed and Eddie Howe is believed to be keen to add a new left-back, a right-sided centre-back, two midfielders and a wide forward to his ranks over the close-season.

But there are several big decisions lying in wait for the United hierachy as a number of current members of their squad enter the final year of their contracts this summer. NewcastleWorld assesses each player and looks at what could lie in wait over the coming months.

Javier Manquillo

The former Liverpool and Sunderland full-back has been a useful support option during his time on Tyneside and has stepped in to great effect when called upon. However, he is reportedly one of a handful of players that have been told they are free to leave the club this summer as he enters the last year of his deal.

Jeff Hendrick

United’s forgotten man! It seems remarkable to think the Republic of Ireland international still has a year left on his current contract. The midfielder has not played for the Magpies since making a late substitute appearance in a 4-0 home defeat against Manchester City in December 2021. Hendrick has spent time on loan at Reading and Queens Park Rangers over the last two seasons - and it seems inevitable a more permanent departure from Tyneside will take place this summer.

Kelland Watts

The academy product will enter the final year of his current deal after spending time on loan at with EFL clubs Stevenage, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United over the last five years. Although the 23-year-old has admirers within the Magpies hierachy, it could be a case on the time is right for him to leave his boyhood club and seek regular first team football with a permanent move away from St James Park this summer.

Emil Krafth

The Sweden international is in the final stages of a return from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in a Carabao Cup win at Tranmere Rovers in August last year. The timing of the injury was cruel as Krafth was starting to prove himself a more than capable deputy for Kieran Trippier and useful cover at the heart of Eddie Howe’s defence. All options remain open when it comes to the Swede - although his long-term future on Tyneside could depend on whether United opt to bring in another right-back this summer. Harrison Ashby’s progress with the Magpies could also impact on the Swede as the former West Ham full-back prepares for his first season at St James Park.

Jamaal Lascelles

The Magpies captain finds himself awaiting what could be a make-or-break summer. Never one to complain, the former Nottingham Forest defender has continued to be a key figure within the United dressing room, despite spending the majority of last season as a backup option for Fabian Schar and Sven Botman. Lascelles will enter the final 12 months of his current deal and an extension seems unlikely as the Magpies are looking to bring in another option at centre-back over the coming months. Lascelles was linked with a move to Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in his career, but has fallen way down the pecking order at St James’ Park in recent times.

Fabian Schar

The Swiss international has just enjoyed the most productive season of his five-year stay at St James Park and his partnership with Sven Botman gave a solid foundation for United’s successful push for a Champions League spot. Schar is a firm favourite with Eddie Howe and there has been some talk of an extension to his current contract, despite the Magpies looking to add another right-sided centre-back to their ranks ahead of the new season. Schar has spoken of his desire to remain on Tyneside and he may well get his wish granted over the coming months.

Dan Burn

The Blyth-born defender is living the dream after helping his boyhood favourites establish themselves at the top end of the Premier League and claim a return to the Champions League for the first time since Burn was a season ticket holder at St James Park. A key figure on and off the pitch at the club, Burn is said to be the next player in line to agree a new contract and it seems increasingly likely his dream will continue as he prepares to help his club meet European football’s elite once again next season.

Callum Wilson

The Magpies striker enjoyed a remarkable season after scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions to help United qualify for the Champions League and reach their first major cup final since 1999. The former Bournemouth frontman also featured for England at the World Cup Finals after his early-season form secured him a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad. Wilson has just a year left on his Magpies contract and could well receive an extension of at least another 12 months as he continues to form a key part of Eddie Howe’s attacking options. However, he may well find further competition coming his way during the summer transfer window.