Big clearout will pave way for signings

NEWCASTLE United are hoping to slice a huge chunk from their wage budget this summer by moving on some big earners.

With Rafa Benitez set to stay and work with the allocated budget pushed his way by Mike Ashley, the Magpies now need to trim their weekly outgoings, meaning it’s the end of the road for some senior figures.

Benitez is co-ordinating a plan with managing director Lee Charnley, who faces one of his busiest summers yet as the Toon manager aims to get things right first time around.

Last summer United’s snailpaced transfer activity meant they missed out on players like Tammy Abraham and Willy Caballero before later coughing up loan fees and wages for Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Islam Slimani.

The first stage of clearing the decks at St James’ Park means the club board are praying for a Fulham win over Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.

Victory for the Cottagers should see Aleksandar Mitrovic make a permanent move to the capital and bank a fee of around £15m and wages of approximately £50,000 per week.

Midfielder Jack Colback is another commanding a similar salary to Mitrovic, and Newcastle are keen to get him off their books, with the ex-Sunderland man having a year left on his current deal.

Colback spent the second half of the season at Nottingham Forest but will face a full year at the club’s Academy if he chooses to remain on Tyneside after falling out of favour at United.

Toon centre-back Chancel Mbemba, goalkeeper Matz Sels, Henri Saivet, and Adam Armstrong are also up for grabs.

Having cleared Massadio Haidara and Jesus Gamez off the wage bill, Newcastle know they need to be in a good position during this summer’s transfer window.

Many of their targets will command big weekly wage bills, with some players asking for more than £100,000 per week this summer.

Newcastle may not only have to break their transfer record of £16m – paid way back in 2005 when they signed Michael Owen from Real Madrid – but also smash their own wage structure if they are going to be able to compete.

As it stands, Jonjo Shelvey is Newcastle’s biggest earner on around £80,000 per week.