Who’s on their way in the St James’ Park clear-out?

SOME HIGH-EARNERS WILL HAVE TO BE OFFLOADED TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW FACES

NEWCASTLE United manager Rafa Benitez wants to make significant additions to his Magpies squad this summer – but he knows he must reduce the wage bill at the same time.

The Magpies had the highest-ever wage budget the EFL has ever seen in 2016/17, and it remained inflated in the Premier League last season too.

Part of the problem was that Newcastle were forced to partially subsidise the wages of a number of players they sent out on loan, and instead they must look to offload them permanently during this window.

Massadio Haidara and Jesus Gamez have already been released, but there are other high-earners Benitez is hoping to sell in the coming weeks and months.

Here, NUFC Writer runs us through six players who Newcastle are keen to offload this summer... The 23-year-old is Newcastle’s mostsaleable asset this summer – but, not only do the Magpies hope to recoup in excess of £20million for the striker, they also want to remove his wages from their budget.

Mitrovic scored 12 goals in 18 Championship starts for Fulham during the second half of last season, but Newcastle were still paying a portion of his wages during that loan spell.

Should Mitrovic impress at the World Cup in Russia, then Newcastle hope it will spark a bidding war for his permanent signature.

Some United fans may still harbour hopes that Mitrovic will be given another opportunity at St James’ Park, but Benitez has made signing a new centre-forward his top priority – and, in order to do so, he needs to move the Serbian on.

Fulham want to sign Mitrovic permanently, but both Newcastle and the striker himself are waiting to see if any other suitors come forward with a substantial offer. The curious case of Mbemba’s decline is set to come to an end this summer, with Benitez determined to sell the 23-year-old.

Mbemba impressed during his first season on Tyneside following an £8m move from Anderlecht but, like Mitrovic, the Democratic Republic of Congo international has proven incompatible with Benitez.

Another centre-back will be signed once Mbemba departs, given that Newcastle will be left with just three once he goes, but it is likely the DR Congo captain must be offloaded first.

Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Club Brugge are all keen on Mbemba – as are Celtic and German outfit Hoffenheim – and Newcastle hope to make up the majority of the £8m they initially spent on Mbemba, plus remove his wages from their bill. It became obvious within three months of Sels having first moved to England that he was not going to see out his five-year contract. The 26-yearold was initially handed the gloves by Benitez but, after a succession of shaky performances, he was dropped and has never regained his first-team place since. Newcastle are extremely confident they will be able to sell Matz Sels