£15m man set for Newcastle United move as Eddie Howe admits goalkeeper could leave

The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Watford but returned to Tyneside at the beginning of July after the Championship club opted against triggering the clause to make his move permanent.

Unlike Ryan Fraser and Isaac Hayden, who have trained away from the first-team following their respective loan spells at Southampton and Queens Park Rangers, Lewis re-integrated himself back into Eddie Howe’s squad for pre-season.

Lewis played in friendlies against SpVgg Unterhaching, Hull City and Yokohama F.Marinos. He then played 90 minutes in the final pre-season game against Stade Brestois as Howe named two different XIs for the Sela weekender.

It was Lewis’ first St James’ Park outing since appearing in Howe’s first victory as United head coach against Burnley in December 2021. A week later however, he was left out of the squad for the Premier League opening day win against Southampton.

Asked for an update on Lewis’ future, Howe said: “Jamal is still the same position that I discussed a couple of weeks ago. Let’s see what happens between now and the window, there’s a chance he could leave.”

The defender arrived at St James’ Park from Norwich City in 2020 for £15million and he has since gone on to make 36 competitive appearances for the club.  

Meanwhile, Howe replied “possibly” when asked by NewcastleWorld if one of his five senior goalkeepers could depart before next Friday’s transfer deadline.

United’s goalkeeping department has increased in numbers this summer following the arrivals of Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy. However, neither of the two were named in the matchday squad against the Saints with Martin Dubravka selected as a back-up to Nick Pope.

Dubravka had been expected to leave but there have since been suggestions that Vlachodimos could go out on loan.