Newcastle United sanction three summer transfer deals - including ex-Arsenal man & midfield duo

Newcastle United will again look to offload both Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick during this summer’s transfer window.

The midfield pair were left out of the Magpies’ 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of last season. Hendrick joined Queens Park Rangers on loan while Hayden stayed on Tyneside as he recovered from knee surgery.

Both players were told by head coach Eddie Howe last summer that neither was in his first-team plans and were subsequently loaned to Reading and Norwich City, respectively.

Following Reading’s relegation to League One, and Norwich’s failure to achieve promotion to the Premier League, the duo will be in a similar situation this summer.

“I think I had those conversations with those players last year, where they trained separately from the group,” Howe explained. That was only so I could control the numbers that I was working with and maintain the focus of the players that were going to be part of our season.

“I don’t anticipate that changing to be honest. Those lads have done very well, and they’ve been great lads and servants to the football club over many seasons. We certainly respect them, but sometimes you have to make a clear break and focus on the players that are going to be part of our season next year.”

Also set to leave, albeit on loan, is Garang Kuol as United plot the next stage of his development.

The Magpies saw off competition from several European clubs to sign the Australian teenager from Central Coast Mariners before immediately sending him on loan to Scottish Premiership side Hearts.

The 18-year-old has struggled to make much of an impact at the Edinburgh outfit, although did score a late equaliser against Rangers at Ibrox earlier this week.

“We’re really pleased he scored and delighted for him,” Howe said. “It’s been a tough loan spell for him but hopefully some real positivity to take into the summer off the back of that goal.

“It’s probably too early for him to be part of our first team picture next year, I think potentially another loan spell will do him good as he continues to develop to the pace of this league.”

Get the latest Newcastle United headlines with our free football newsletter! Follow the action from St James’ Park and beyond as we bring the sport news to you. Visit our website here to sign up.