It’s been a manic week or so at Newcastle United as they gear up for the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Beginning with last weekend, the Magpies were facing a Premier League points deduction as they frantically attempted to sell players in order to comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) before the deadline on June 30. At the 11th hour, United could breath a sign of relief after offloading Yankuba Minteh to Brighton & Hove Albion and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for a combined £68million.
Minteh left Tyneside without kicking a ball after he spent last season on loan at Feyenoord. Meanwhile, academy graduate Anderson was sold for a club-record £35m, equalling the total of Andy Carroll’s move to Liverpool in January 2011.
Arriving in the opposite direction was Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for an undisclosed fee. United also confirmed a one-year contract for veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy, who replaces Loris Karius as third choice after his contract expired at Birmingham City.
Monday (July 1) was also the day Lewis Hall and Lloyd Kelly officially joined the club. Hall spent last season on loan from Chelsea but joins permanently for an initial £28million, a club record fee paid for a teenager. Kelly arrived on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth on a five-year contract.
Off the field, Newcastle and Manchester United finally reached an agreement over a compensation package for Dan Ashworth. And the Magpies have wasted no time in confirming Ashworth’s successor with former Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Monaco man Paul Mitchell taking up the sporting director position.
Further signings and departures will happen in the coming months but as things stand, here’s the 25-man Premier League squad Eddie Howe would likely name:
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
Remains a Newcastle player for now but the Magpies' No.2 is a likely departure after entering the remaining 12 months of his contract. | Getty Images
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier too could depart Newcastle this summer. He had interest from Bayern Munich in January while a number of Saudi Pro League clubs are open to signing the 33-year-old. | AFP via Getty Images
3. CB: Sven Botman
An ACL injury has ruled Botman out of action until later this year. When he returns, the Dutchman will hope to recapture his 2022-23 form. | Getty Images
4. CB: Fabian Schar
The Swiss defender has aged like fine wine. A classy player whom rarely misses a game. | AFP via Getty Images