The Newcastle rebuild: Who stays? Who goes?
By Joel Edkins
On their way out of Newcastle United:
On Tuesday, Tom Malley at The Mirror reported Newcastle were set to transfer list as many as ten first-team players.
The obvious choices are those that have seen their playing time limited during Eddie Howe’s tenure. Defensively, these include long-time servants Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez along with full-backs Javier Manquillo and Jamal Lewis.
I would be less certain on Lewis’ departure – at least permanently, that is. The 24-year-old is under contract until 2025, which although may owe to a greater potential fee received with his sale, also shows the regard he was held in when recruited.
A previous target of Liverpool’s while with previous club Norwich and a Northern Ireland international, Lewis is a player that Howe may reserve judgement on for another season.
Concerning midfielders, according to the same report, Isaac Hayden and Matt Ritchie will be the first out of the door.
Also expected to go:
Goalkeeper(s): Karl Darlow
Forward(s): Dwight Gayle