The Newcastle rebuild: Who stays? Who goes?

As the season draws to a close, teams will now be – if they haven’t already – turning their attention to the summer transfer window and none more so than Newcastle United.

Following their takeover by a Saudi-led consortium in October last year, the Magpies’ trajectory has shifted off the pitch which in effect has seen a change in fortunes on it.

Initial examples of their overhaul taking place, came in the form of parting ways with former manager Steve Bruce and the consequent appointment of Eddie Howe before supplying the new boss with a set of new signings.

The extent of their January spending was curtailed due to a host of reasons out of their control. Reluctance from clubs to sell midway through a season being the key one.

This forced Howe and co to pursue targets at clubs that weren’t in a position financially to turn down – relatively speaking – lucrative offers.

Examples included Chris Wood from then relegation rivals Burnley and Dan Burn from Brighton, with the Seagulls now within reach of the heavily improved North-East club.

While Newcastle fans are no doubt hoping for an improvement on the near £90m spent in January, expectations may need to be tempered due to Financial Fair Play rules.

Howe described the club’s plan as an ‘evolution not revolution’ in an interview following his side’s humbling at the hands of league-leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

The Eddie Howe ‘evolution’

Since arriving, Howe has settled on a formation and spine to his team, ensuring not only new signings were moulded to his system but also those that were there before him.

Implementing a 4-3-3 formation, the former Bournemouth manager has overseen dramatic improvement in the likes of Joelinton, Fabian Schär and Jonjo Shelvey, who beforehand looked to be on borrowed time.

Such is the development of the prior mentioned, among others, the need for a complete revamp has lessened, therefore allowing for Howe’s desired prolonged rebuild.

“Players that you love and have a great relationship with, they sometimes have to leave for the benefit of the team,” claimed Howe, however, leading onlookers to speculate which players will be included in that.

In order to manoeuvre around Financial Fair Play rules, Newcastle will need to offload players and generate revenue.

Staying on Tyneside:

Starting from the bottom up, none of the goalkeepers’ futures are guaranteed but a contingent of the existing defence will retain their place in the squad.

Kieran Trippier signed in January and looks set to lead the Toon Army’s charge in the coming years, in addition to Matt Targett who is thought to have agreed on making his loan from Aston Villa permanent.

Another signing after the turn of the year was Dan Burn, who has forged a resolute partnership with previously uncertain central defender Fabian Schär. The Switzerland international has benefitted from being part of a steadier ship, leading to him being rewarded with a new contract.

Moving into midfield, Joe Willock will stay alongside Bruno Guimarães. The two have impressed since their respective transfers, Willock completing his loan move from Arsenal in the summer and Bruno the first marquee signing arriving in January.

Another pairing I predict to stay is Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton, who have both seen considerable development since Howe’s arrival. Shelvey anchoring the midfield, while Joelinton has seen himself shift from an impotent striker to an all-encompassing box-to-box midfielder.

Three of the current five forwards at Eddie Howe’s disposal will likely stay. Chris Wood joined in January and although his standing in the long-term may be brought into question, his height offers a tangible return even if off the bench.

Enigmatic winger Allan Saint-Maximin is a difficult one to assess, with some suggesting the Frenchman may be sold to help raise funds. However, in my opinion, he will stay at St James’ Park. He feels symbolic of the club’s new dawn and has provided the Newcastle faithful with joy at their lowest ebb.

Also expected to stay:

Defence: Emil Krafth, Paul Dummett
Midfield: Sean Longstaff, Ryan Fraser
Attack: Santiago Muñoz (potential loan)

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

Up for debate:

As is to be expected regarding a rebuild of this scale, several players fall into this category.

First off, club-captain Jamaal Lascelles. The skipper has fallen down the pecking order under the new management and is now regarded as a third-choice centre-back.

Not helped by a tendency to make mistakes and a lack of the mobility needed to play within a higher pressing system, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Englishman exit even if it is viewed as a statement by the board.

Another senior member in the dressing room whose future has been cast into doubt is Martin Dubravka. With reports Man United’s Dean Henderson and Arsenal’s Bernd Leno are available, a move for either could spell the end of the Slovakian’s four-year spell at the club.

Lastly, and perhaps the most controversial of the bunch, are forwards Miguel Almirón and Callum Wilson. The latter is arguably Newcastle’s first-choice striker when fit but has been forced to miss over four months of the season with an Achilles injury.

Wilson returned to action coming off the bench in Newcastle’s 5-0 loss to Man City on Sunday, but his stained fitness record has led some to debate whether he will remain a mainstay in Howe’s plans.

Almirón’s whereabouts next season on the other hand is hard to predict. A fan favourite and then club-record signing upon signing from Atlanta for £20m in January 2019, the versatile Paraguayan is thought to be in a battle with teammate Jacob Murphy whose future is also somewhat of an unknown entity.

Considering both Murphy and Almirón’s respective ages – 28 and 27 – higher-ups at the club will likely listen to offers rather than push for a sale. Neither has featured consistently under Howe yet could generate funds or offer a return on the pitch in equal measure.

Wilson, however, may benefit from his longstanding relationship with Eddie Howe having both worked together at Bournemouth.

At 30 years of age, a potential transfer fee would be relatively low, and he certainly has more to give if a level of fitness can be found.

Ahead of a summer transfer window set for fireworks, we will be sure to keep you updated as and when Newcastle United make their moves.