Newcastle United’s academy is on the rise, but some quality young players are starting to miss out on vital game time, losing the opportunity to impress Eddie Howe.
Since the takeover in 2021, there has been a lot of focus on bringing talented young players to the club after years of neglect from previous ownership.
The last few years have seen players arrive from all over England and most recently from abroad. Newcastle United have started to branch further out into Europe, with several young players joining from outside of the UK in the last two years in particular.
Antonio Cordero is joining Newcastle in July after rejecting moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona for Tyneside. Additionally, Newcastle are set to start raiding Ireland for their young talent after finding success with Alex Murphy and Kyle Fitzgerald.
Newcastle’s academy is getting stronger as the seasons go by, but there are five players we think desperately need a loan move next season.
Alfie Harrison warms up before a Premier League 2 game between Manchester City and Newcastle United Under 21s.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Alfie Harrison
After signing for £3.5m from Manchester City in 2023, there was a lot of hype around Alfie Harrison’s arrival on Tyneside. It was a struggle for Harrison at the beginning of his time at Newcastle, but he has since become more comfortable in his new environment and it shows.
Last season, Harrison registered 10 goal involvements in the Premier League 2, putting him amongst the best performers in the league. That type of form should be enough to get a look in for Eddie Howe’s first-team squad.
However, that is likely not going to be the case. Harrison is predominantly an attacking midfielder, a position Howe does not use in Newcastle’s first team. Harrison is left wondering what options he has to break into the first team. The best solution for him is to spend a season out on loan to prove why he should be in the picture for a place in the first team.
Ben Parkinson arrives at Meadow Park ahead of a Premier League 2 game between Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
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Ben Parkinson
Taking advantage of first-team injuries, Ben Parkinson has already made his professional debut with the Magpies. The striker came off the bench for Newcastle’s 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in December 2023 to kick-start his professional career.
Parkinson started the 2024/25 season off brilliantly, scoring seven goals in 10 games before an ankle injury derailed his progress. He missed the young Magpies’ next five games before scoring on his return.
Parkinson was then out of the squad for Newcastle’s final three games of the Premier League 2 season. With eight goals in 11 appearances for the youth team, it is clear that Parkinson is ready to test himself at the next level, but with the likes of Sean Neave, William Osula and Alexander Isak ahead of him, it is likely that a loan move will be the best option for him to play more consistent professional football.
At 20 years old, Parkinson will now be thinking about the professional game and how he can improve.
Charlie McArthur running during a Premier League 2 game between Newcastle United and Chelsea.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Charlie McArthur
Having signed from Kilmarnock in 2022, defender Charlie McArthur has been slowly building himself up to step into the professional game. He finally achieved that when he linked up with former Newcastle man Paul Dummett at Carlisle United.
However, appearances were few and far between, with the Scot playing in just 10 out of a possible 22 games at Carlisle on their way to relegation from League Two.
Having been given his first taste of professional football with the Cumbrians, McArthur will surely be eager to test himself at a high-quality League Two side or look further up the divisions.
Now 20, McArthur is on the right track to becoming a great professional in the future.
Travis Hernes looking on during a Premier League 2 game between Newcastle United and Chelsea U21s.
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Travis Hernes
Another player who has already been sent out on loan with Newcastle, Travis Hernes needs more time to prove that he can be of use to the first team in the future.
The midfielder joined from Shrewsbury in 2023, but is yet to make a professional appearance for the Magpies. Instead, he spent a lot of time in the academy and even played in the UEFA Youth League in the 2023/24 season.
Hernes was loaned out to Aalborg BK in January 2025, making 12 appearances. However, it was his actions off the pitch that gained him attention. Hernes was given a disciplinary by Aalborg for visiting a nightclub.
If he is more sensible, Hernes should be loaned out for another season, perhaps in England this time.
Garang Kuol challenges for the ball during a Premier League 2 game between Arsenal and Newcastle United U21s.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Garang Kuol
Having already experienced life on loan, it is clear that next season could be make or break for Garang Kuol. Signing as an Australian wonderkid who just played in the 2022 World Cup, there was a lot of hype around Kuol’s signing. However, it has not worked out like that yet.
Kuol had two disastrous loan spells at Hearts and FC Volendam before returning to Newcastle, where he has been able to find form.
Nine goal involvements in the Premier League 2 mean he has shown glimpses of quality in the North East, but you would not be criticised for feeling that he should have done more.
Reports have stated Newcastle will look to loan Kuol out this summer alongside Harrison, but the club must get his next move right to help him realise his potential.