Nine players likely to leave Newcastle United this summer - and 14 that won’t
It’s set to be a busy summer at Newcastle United as plans for the transfer window get underway.
All the talk is about potential incomings but the outgoings are just as important as Eddie Howe looks to create room for his 25-man Premier League squad.
The Magpies head coach has already admitted that tough decisions over what players depart will be made ahead of Sunday’s season finale at Burnley.
“Players that you love and have a great relationship with, sometimes have to leave for the benefit of the team,” Howe said recently. “This season is no different.
“I am sure there will be players who leave who have represented the club in a brilliant way. But those decisions can wait for the end of the season.
“Right now it is about making judgements and assessments on everybody I am working with. Training, the training ground is an important place, I am making judgments there and on days like today I am making judgments on performances I see, that is natural.”
NewcastleWorld takes a look at the Magpies players who are and aren’t at risk of being offloaded this summer:
1. Ciaran Clark - likely
Clark was left out of Newcastle’s 25-man squad for the second-half of last season and has began pre-season training with the under-23s. Photo: Stu Forster
2. Federico Fernandez - likely
There is no doubt Fernandez is a popular figure on Tyneside but his lack of game time, largely down to injuries and the form of Burn & Schar, may see the 33-year-old move on this summer.
3. Matt Ritchie - likely
A great servant and player Eddie Howe loves from his Bournemouth days. There was talk of Ritchie potentially leaving last summer, and now, after a long spell out the starting XI, the 32-year-old may feel his time has come.
4. Matty Longstaff - likely
His debut against Manchester United will live long in the memory but for one reason or another - mostly down to Steve Bruce - Longstaff’s career hasn’t progressed as expected.