Newcastle United weigh up late transfer move as double departure already sanctioned — Q&A

Deadline day is fast approaching and an injury scare for Sven Botman could force Newcastle United into a transfer re-think.

The summer window slams shut on Friday (September 1) at 11pm, and while talk of signing another new signing has previously been played down, departures have not.

NewcastleWorld takes a look at what could - and perhaps should happen during the remaining days of the window:

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window so far

Newcastle have roughly spent around £130million on five new signings, while 10 players have departed the club since June.

Yankuba Minteh was the first to arrive from Danish side Odense Boldklub but was immediately loaned to Dutch champions Feyenoord for the 2023-24 campaign. With the Gambian unlikely to feature in black and white until next year at the earliest, that has left Eddie Howe with four first-team additions in total.

Sandro Tonali has started all three of the Magpies’ opening Premier League matches following his £52m switch from AC Milan. Harvey Barnes, who joined from Leicester City for £38m, has also - but only as a substitute.

Tino Livramento, a £30m plus add-ons recruit from Southampton, made a brief appearance during the 1-0 loss at Premier League champions Manchester City. Lewis Hall, whose move from Chelsea will become permanent for an initial £28m next summer, isn’t yet match fit according to Howe.

Meanwhile, United have recouped around £38m in transfer fees after Nottingham Forest triggered Chris Wood’s £15m obligation to buy clause. Allan Saint-Maximin was then sold to Saudi Pro League side Ah Ahli for a reported £23m and Karl Darlow joined Leeds for a mere £400,000.

Ryan Fraser, who earned a reported £70,000-a-week, will spend the upcoming campaign on loan in the Championship at Southampton, as will Jamal Lewis at Watford, who have the option to buy the Northern Ireland international next summer. Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff were released at the end of their contracts.

Will Newcastle United add to their squad before Friday’s transfer deadline?

As we sit here now, the feeling is that’s unlikely. Speaking to the media before Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to 10-man Liverpool, Howe said: “I think unless something happens to a couple of players in one position before the window shutting, we won’t be adding to the squad.”

The next question is, should Newcastle add to their squad? Well, Sven Botman’s ankle injury against Liverpool, although not thought to be serious, is a gentle reminder that United aren’t far away from being left light at centre-half.

Having bodies is one thing, and having quality is another. Behind Fabian Schar, Howe most notably has Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn to call upon, yet Lascelles hasn’t played regularly for 18 months, while Burn has spent the majority of that timeframe at left-back.

Beyond that, there’s Paul Dummett, who hasn’t played a competitive game in over a year. Under-21s defender Alex Murphy impressed in pre-season but Howe will no doubt be reluctant to ask too much of the 19-year-old Irishman.

Indeed, the same concerns were raised when Schar picked up a hamstring injury pre-season.

What about outgoings?

At least two players are expected to move on before Friday’s deadline. The first is Isaac Hayden, who has undergone a medical ahead of joining Premier League counterparts Luton Town on loan.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been training away from Howe’s squad since returning from last season’s loan spell at Norwich City. The same has gone for Jeff Hendrick, and he too, most likely on loan, is set to follow Hayden out of the St James’ Park exit doors.

United could allow Javier Manquillo to leave. Asked about the Spaniard’s future last week, Howe confirmed he wanted the player to stay but said the decision was in the player’s hands.

“I think that’ll depend on what he wants really,” said Howe. “For me, I’m trying to build the squad as depth as we can for the robust season we have ahead. At the moment, it seems very calm but we’re going to have games coming as soon as this international break comes.

“After that, we’ve got a really intense period of games. We need the depth in the squad. I’d like him to stay but it’s in his hands.”

The versatile full-back has fallen further down the pecking order summer following the arrivals of England under-21s duo Livramento and Hall. Manquillo was already behind the likes of Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett and Burn.