The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
10 key decisions Howe must make
THE focus may be on securing a European finish but soon enough attention will turn to the comings and goings of the summer transfer window for Newcastle United.
A quiet January, both on Tyneside and across the Premier League, has whet the appetite for potential arrivals during pre-season. But with financial restrictions still at the forefront of minds across the top flight, the shackles may not be off when the summer rolls around.
With that in mind, attention will no doubt turn to who Newcastle can get off the books to free up funds for transfers and wages – and Eddie Howe certainly has a lot of decisions to make on that front.
LORIS KARIUS
A fairly straightforward decision, and one that looks as though it has already been made, is regarding Loris Karius’ future at St James’ Park. The German stopper, who is out of contract this summer, has featured only twice since arriving as emergency back-up in 2022.
Speculation was rife Karius would leave last summer given his partner, Italian sports presenter Diletta Leotta, had just given birth to the couple’s first child in her native country.
This time around, a Serie A move looks even more likely.
“Of course, it would be a great solution if there were good options for me, regardless of proximity to my family,” Karius told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I have always followed Serie A and it intrigues me a lot, but it is too early to talk about the
future.”
EMIL KRAFTH
On the opposite end of the scale, Emil Krafth, left, looks to be a fellow fringe player who has no intention of leaving. The Swedish international recently penned a new deal to keep him at Newcastle until 2025.
That hasn’t ended interest from closer to home, with Sweden Allsvenskan champions Malmo enquiring about a potential transfer for the right-back. “They [Malmo] were a bit optimistic. I feel that I have a few years left abroad before that question should be addressed. But I feel that I’m not done abroad,” Krafth told Fotbollskanalen this week.
PAUL DUMMETT
Paul Dummett is another player approaching the end of his latest Newcastle contract and has attracted interest from a number of clubs in recent months.
Ipswich Town and Leeds United were two Championship high-flyers linked with a January move and after being restricted to a handful of appearances in Howe’s side this term, a decision needs to be made over whether Dummett remains at Newcastle to sit on the bench.
MIGUEL ALMIRON
Apart from Allan Saint-maximin, Newcastle are yet to really sell a key first-team player for a significant figure. Much has been made of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak or Sven Botman being the big name to depart in return for a substantial amount but the answer may lie elsewhere.
Miguel Almiron was linked with a move away from Newcastle in
January after attracting interest from Saudi Arabia. The winger wanted to continue in the north east and feels he has more to give in a black and white shirt.
Should similar interest emerge in the summer window, a question emerges as to whether the Magpies see Almiron as expendable for a reasonable fee. Should an upgrade arrive in the form of a new right-winger, the question may answer itself.
CALLUM WILSON
Another player heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle earlier this year was Callum Wilson. A loan move to Atletico Madrid seemed possible, while tentative speculation emerged over a switch to AC Milan.
Wilson has struggled with ongoing injury issues in recent seasons and at the age of 32, his position in Howe’s side may be at risk after the current campaign. Do Newcastle cash in while they can?
MARTIN DUBRAVKA
A run of games in Howe’s side fell into Martin Dubravka’s lap after Nick Pope’s pre-christmas shoulder injury but questions over his future will rear their head once more when the sidelined stopper returns to the fold at the business end of the campaign.
Dubravka had barely featured for multiple seasons before his recent spell in the side and his agent has even floated the idea of a move away during the upcoming summer window.
“If he plays well in the Euros in Germany, he can get into an excellent position.
“I can imagine that Newcastle will offer him a contract extension for a year or two,” he told Sport.sk in January.
“In England, goalkeepers mature like wine and their loyalty is viewed very positively. However, we wouldn’t rule out that he will want to look somewhere else.”
MATT RITCHIE
Like so many of the other fringe players approaching the end of their contracts at Newcastle, many expected Matt Ritchie to depart last summer. With one eye on his coaching badges, the dressing room leader has instead stayed put, given his integral role behind the scenes.
Ritchie also helped on the pitch lately, scoring a last-gasp equaliser against former club Bournemouth last month. Interest has emerged from clubs down south in previous windows but the former Scotland international has turned those opportunities down in favour of staying put at St James’ Park.
MATT TARGETT
Matt Targett’s game time has been limited after falling down the pecking order before a hamstring injury earlier this term. As such, he is another who has been touted with a move elsewhere. Former clubs Southampton and Fulham have both been linked with the 28-year-old, pictured left, who may want to stick it out under Howe in the hope of playing a part for Newcastle once back up to full fitness.
JOE WHITE
Joe
White is unlikely to be sold this summer but a decision will still need to be made over whether he is again loaned out further down the English footballing pyramid to aid his development.
The 21-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at League Two’s Crewe Alexandra and impressed as the fourth-tier side pushed for promotion.
White has made one substitute appearance for Newcastle since his temporary deal was cut short in January.
The midfielder will likely get the chance to prove his worth during the summer pre-season tour before Howe and his staff make a decision.
MARK GILLESPIE
Mark Gillespie last made a competitive appearance for Newcastle in 2020 but was rewarded with a new contract last year. It is approaching that time of year once more where a renewal decision will be made.