Newcastle planning to ‘axe’ seven first-team players in the summer
According to reports, Newcastle United will look to balance the books by offloading seven first-team players in the summer transfer window.
The Magpies were heavy spenders in the winter transfer window following their Saudi-led takeover. They brought in five players in total, spending over £90m in the process.
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Their January investment seems to have instantly paid off as the Geordies have surged up the Premier League table in recent weeks.
They are unbeaten in their last eight league encounters, winning five of them, and are now in 14th as the worry of relegation reduces every week.
Newcastle are going through a transitional period, and if they avoid dropping down to the Championship this season, are sure to splash the cash again in the summer.
However, with new faces coming in, the club’s hierarchy will have to sell players to create space in the squad.
And according to The Times (via the Express), head coach Eddie Howe is ready to offload seven members of his current group.
Included in the seven is once club-record signing Miguel Almiron, who has failed to impress since joining from MLS side Atlanta United for £21m.
£15m left-back Jamal Lewis is also surplus to requirements after being left out of Howe’s 25-man Premier League squad following the January window.
Isaac Hayden, who was also excluded from the squad due to an injury, is another player up for sale.
The Magpies are also set to consider offers for defenders Emil Krafth and Ciaran Clark, striker Dwight Gayle and goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Newcastle are looking to receive around £70m for the seven players combined.
Meanwhile, Newcastle “can finish above Manchester United” next season if they spend £300-400m this summer, according to Jamie O’Hara.
He said: “You look at Newcastle now, the way they’re playing, the money they’re going to spend in the summer. You’ve got a manager in Eddie Howe who has got his magic factor back again.
“I look at Newcastle and think if they continue the way they’re going and they invest £300 or £400 million in players in the summer, they can finish above Manchester United!”
