Following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Newcastle United’s focus has swiftly turned to the summer transfer window.
As ever, the interest lies with who the Magpies are planning to recruit but that is likely to be determined by who leaves the football club. Newcastle’s business will again be impacted by Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and selling players will help maximise their budget.
Eddie Howe has made it clear he does not want to sell prized assets such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes but there could be movement in other parts of the squad with several players alreaddy being linked with moves away.
Howe said earlier this month: “I think for us we're looking to build a squad and a really successful team and to do that, we don't want to sell our best players. That is hugely important for us, it will knock us back some considerable distance because we would have to start again.
"There is no weakness in the club to say we are going to sell anyone. But, of course, Financial Fair Play is there and we'll have to comply like everyone else. That's why I've said this summer is going to be a very difficult thing to predict. But there is no desire from anyone at the football club to sell our best players.
"There'll have to be movement out. But I think there's no specific bracket or brand or type of player, however you want to look at it, that's assigned to that.”
So, who could leave? NewcastleWorld takes a look at the seven players who are likely to have played their last games for the club:
1. WILL: Paul Dummett
Dummett turns 33 in September having made his senior debut 11 years ago. He has gone on to amass 213 appearances for his boyhood club, although 13 of those have come in the past three seasons.
2. COULD: Matt Targett
Targett has started just seven Premier League matches since joining permanently from Aston Villa two years ago. An injury hit campaign and the emergence of Lewis Hall could bring his time on Tyneside to an end if there are any takers.
3. WILL: Matt Ritchie
Ritchie has appeared 215 times since joining from AFC Bournemouth in 2016 but similar to Dummett has rarely featured in recent seasons. A leader behind the scenes but is way down the pecking order. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
4. COULD: Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian has played the majority of games this season but Nick Pope’s return will edge him out of the team again. Has entered the final year of his contract and still harbours ambitions of being a No.1.