Five players that could leave Newcastle United before transfer deadline - and two that probably won’t

Eddie Howe has already added four new faces to his Newcastle United squad during the summer transfer window.

The close-season got underway with the permanent addition of Aston Villa defender Matt Targett and he was followed by Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and Lille’s highly-rated centre-back Sven Botman.

The trio came at a cost of around £57million and that figure was doubled last week when they Magpies broke their transfer record to complete a deal to bring Real Sociedad and Sweden striker Alexander Isak to Tyneside.

The United hierachy are believed to be keen to add at least one new face to their squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday night, with a winger and a midfielder believed to be under consideration.

There will also be departures as Howe looks to make space for further incomings with several players attracting attention from clubs with the deadline now just days away.

NewcastleWorld looks at five players that could depart and two that probably will not.

Martin Dubravka

The Slovakian international has been a mainstay at St James Park since joining the Magpies in an initial loan deal in January 2018.

There is no doubt Dubravka has played a key role in re-establishing Newcastle in the Premier League club - but it now looks highly likely his time on Tyneside is coming to a close.

England goalkeeper Nick Pope looks to have won the battle to become Eddie Howe’s regular number one and that has left both the United boss and Dubravka with a decision to make.

There is firm interest from Manchester United, who are keen to take Dubravka on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent at a cost of £5million.

Newcastle would prefer an immediate permanent deal and there is hope an agreement can be found between now and Thursday night.

Jamal Lewis

Lewis made his first Newcastle appearance since last December when he came off the bench to replace Matt Targett in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup win at Tranmere.

It was another step towards reaching full fitness after the Northern Ireland international underwent groin surgery earlier this year.

However, with Targett, Dan Burn and Paul Dummett all part of Howe’s squad, getting regular game-time could be a challenge for the former Norwich City man.

French club Nice were linked with a season-long loan move for Lewis over the weekend and it would not be a shock to see the 24-year-old depart on a temporary basis over the coming days.

Federico Fernandez

The former Argentina international has rarely let United down since Rafa Benitez brought him to Tyneside in a £6million deal in August 2018.

Fernandez has been a solid and reliable presence whenever he has been called upon but he is now in the final year of his current deal and an extension is highly unlikely.

Now viewed as fifth choice centre-back, Fernandez is very likely to leave before Thursday’s deadline in a loan deal that would effectively bring an end to his four-year stay at St James Park.

There were reports Stoke City were keen on a loan deal over the weekend - although a lot could depend on how much of his reported £60,000-a-week wage Stoke, or any other suitor, are willing to fund.

Matt Ritchie

The role the former Bournemouth winger has played in Newcastle’s promotion back in the Premier League and re-establishing themselves in the top tier should not be overlooked.

Ritchie has spoken of his new role at St James Park and is very much a squad player these days after being viewed as a key figure during his early years at Tyneside.

Still viewed as an influential player within the dressing room, the Scotland international is now 32 and will hope to secure regular first-team football as his career enters what will surely be its final years.

Ritchie’s versatility may well work in his favour but there has been talk of a return to the South Coast and former club Bournemouth are reportedly keen on a move.

Matty Longstaff

That memorable Premier League debut goal against Manchester United seems a long time ago.

Matty has made 20 appearances for his boyhood club but has not featured in a Premier League fixture since appearing as a late substitute in a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal last January.

That came in the aftermath of an underwhelming loan spell at Scottish club Aberdeen and preceded another temporary stint away from Tyneside when he joined Mansfield Town on the final day of the January transfer window.

Longstaff enjoyed a productive spell with the Stags and returned to Tyneside this summer looking to fight for a place in Howe’s first-team squad once again.

Pre-season appearances against Gateshead, Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao offered some hope that he could find some game-time this season - but it now seems likely he will see out the final year of his contract elsewhere with a number of EFL clubs said to be interested in a loan deal.

Javier Manquillo

The Spanish full-back has struggled with injuries over the last year and has not made a first-team appearance since the heavy defeat at Spurs in March.

Manquillo has gradually worked his way back to fitness and has been an unused substitute during Premier League draws with Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as the Carabao Cup win at Tranmere Rovers.

Had things been different, Manquillo would have been one possible departure during the summer window, but the recent injury to Emil Krafth means he is now likely to stay at St James Park and provide backup to regular right-back Kieran Trippier.

Karl Darlow

Newcastle head into the final days of the transfer window with four senior goalkeepers in their ranks.

The arrival of England goalkeeper Nick Pope, and Mark Gillespie’s position as a third-choice stopper, seemed to suggest one of Darlow or Dubravka would be allowed to leave this summer.

Darlow has always provided reliable backup as a number two and has rarely let any United manager down when called upon.

He was linked with a move away from Tyneside this summer with Middlesbrough reportedly keen on a move and there was interest from other second-tier clubs.

However, Dubravka’s impending move to Manchester United means Darlow will remain on Tyneside and continue providing backup to Pope after the Burnley keeper seemed to secure his place as number one.