Newcastle United set to seal double swoop as personal terms agreed on potential third transfer

Newcastle United have been gearing up for the summer transfer window since ending their rollercoaster 2023-24 season with a 4-2 win at Brentford last month.

And there has been some movement already this week ahead of the market officially opening this Friday (June 14). Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at the deals the Magpies are looking to complete and the players that will or could be leaving:

Two deals already agreed

Newcastle’s summer of incomings will officially begin with the permanent arrival of Lewis Hall from Chelsea. The 19-year-old spent last season on loan and United have triggered the performance-related criteria to turn his switch permanent for an initial £28million.

The Slough-born defender struggled during his opening six months on Tyneside having started just four times. However, after returning from the March international, Hall started eight out of 11 matches - cementing his case to be the club’s starting left-back next term.

NewcastleWorld understands the deal for Hall is likely be announced in late-June or early July.

And another player who is set to officially join around that time is Lloyd Kelly. The 25-year-old’s contract at AFC Bournemouth expires on June 30 and Newcastle have won the race for his signature ahead of the likes of Atletico Madrid and Roma.

There have been conflicting reports of Kelly verbally agreeing either a four-year-deal or five-year-deal. But either way, the free transfer is all-but complete with the former England under-21s international preparing to undergo his medical in the coming days.

Kelly is well known to head coach Eddie Howe, who signed him for Bournemouth for £13million from Bristol City in 2019. Kelly, who can operate at centre-back or left-back, made 141 appearances for the South Coast club and was captain when they won promotion back to the Premier League in 2021-22.

What’s the latest with the goalkeeping situation?

Newcastle have been strongly linked with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili but are currently pursuing a deal for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

It’s understood the 21-year-old is very keen on a move to St James’ Park with personal terms, as per some outlets, already agreed. Talks between United and Burnley are ongoing with the recently relegated club eyeing a fee north of £20m.

Trafford, whose £19m move from Manchester City last summer made his the third most expensive English goalkeeper of all-time, endured a difficult campaign at Turf Moor but remains highly-rated. Howe sees Trafford as someone who can act as an understudy to Nick Pope before rivalling him for the No.1 jersey.

His arrival would likely bring Martin Dubravka’s six-and-a-half-year stay on Tyneside to an end. The Slovakian played the majority of last season due to Pope’s shoulder injury but remains a back-up option. With Loris Karius gone, falling to third choice is not something the 35-year-old would willingly accept.

Sources north of the border say Celtic hold a genuine interest in Dubravka while clubs in the Middle East are keeping an eye on the situation.

What other positions are Newcastle United looking to strengthen?

Asides from a goalkeeper, Newcastle are still open to signing another central defender alongside Kelly after missing out on Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea. Howe will start next season without two of his centre-backs with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles ruled out until late 2024 with ACL injuries.

A striker and a right-sided forward remain high on the agenda but that could be dependent on who departs in the coming weeks or months.

Newcastle have transfer funds available following the influx of Champions League prize money, Sela sponsorship and the new Adidas deal but Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) continue to limit the club’s spending power.

Who could leave Newcastle United?

Arguably Newcastle’s most sellable assets asides from Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon — three players United are determined to keep hold of — are Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier who, coincidentally, all attracted interest in January.

Almiron was the closest to leaving following an approach from a Saudi Pro League club, believed to be Al Shabab, but the Paraguayan opted to remain on Tyneside and reassess his future this summer. Saudi interest remains, however other clubs across Europe and afar could also come to the table.

Wilson and Trippier also have a big decision to make on their futures. The England pair are in the twilight of their respective careers and have just 12 months remaining on their contracts. NewcastleWorld understands a move to Saudi Arabia is a possibility, for Trippier in particular.

And just to add to the Guimaraes and Isak talk, it is our understanding that Manchester City, as it stands, are unlikely to trigger Guimaraes’ £100m release clause — valid until the end of June, while Arsenal-linked Isak is simply isn’t for sale.

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reported over the weekend that Newcastle could reluctantly cash in on Yankuba Minteh just a year after signing him from Danish outfit Odense Boldklub for £7million. The Gambian winger hasn’t yet kicked a ball for Howe’s side after immediately being loaned to Feyenoord, where he caught the eye during the second-half of the season.

Who will leave Newcastle United?

As announced by Newcastle last month, long-serving duo Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummet along with Loris Karius, Jeff Hendrick and Kelland Watts will leave on June 30 when their contracts expire. Expected to join those players out of exit door are Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jamal Lewis.

Fraser is in line to re-join Southampton after playing a key role in their immediate return to the Premier League. Hayden enjoyed a successful half-season loan at Queens Park Rangers and is keen on a return, although that could be dependent on reaching a mutual settlement with Newcastle to terminate his contract, which doesn’t expire until 2026. Watford had an option to turn Lewis’ loan into a permanent but have decided against it.

Newcastle will also look to finalise loans for some of their youngers players, including Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby, who spent last term at FC Volendam and Swansea City, respectively.