Newcastle United's Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff
Newcastle United's Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff
Newcastle United are heading into what could be an exciting summer transfer window, with money available for Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell to invest in the first-team squad.
Howe has made it clear that he will be looking to make some key signings before the new season gets under way in August, with the Magpies hoping to strike early. While the United head coach understandably won't discuss targets, Newcastle have been linked with moves to central defenders and right-side forwards, while they could need more back up for Alexander Isak should Callum Wilson depart.
While there are fund available, it's not a limitless pot, despite the wealth of the Saudi-backed PIF owners. Financial fair play rules mean United have to stick within strict limits when it comes to long-term accounting. Unlike more established sides at the top of the Premier League table, United don't have a plethora of big-name stars they can cash-in on to help raise funds.
We've seen Man City sell the likes of Leroy Sane, Julian Alvarez, Ferran Torres and Raheem Sterling, Liverpool allowing Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Sadio Mane to leave for big bucks, and even in more recent times, Aston Villa sell Jack Grealish, Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby to fund more spending.
Newcastle want to hold on to the likes of Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon, so they must be savvy when it comes to player exits. We've seen in recent weeks how thin the squad is, so any departures would likely have to replaced, either by new signings or academy graduates following in Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson's footsteps.
That leaves a small number of players who might be deemed expendable, if replacements can be found, although United could raise around £70m if they're able to offload players outside of the strongest XI.
Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock are by far and away the strongest assets who could leave, with Longstaff dropping down the pecking order and Crystal Palace reportedly interested in Willock. Leeds and Everton both hold an interest in Longstaff, but United must hold out for offers in the £20m region mark - or higher - for the pair.
Squad players such as Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Targett could bring in small, but valuable amounts, while even if United sold goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for half the £20m they paid Nottingham Forest for him last summer, then it would be a welcome boost to the transfer kitty.
Then there is Garang Kuol. The Australian has not make the impact many hoped he would do, although time is very much on his side, and a series of impressive Under-21 performances have been encouraging. United will not receive huge amounts should they cash in, but it is a decision they may need to make in the coming months.