Newcastle United may overhaul their squad this summer in preparation of competing in European football next season.
Several Toon players face uncertain futures, with Callum Wilson fighting to be offered a contract extension that will prevent him from leaving on a free transfer this summer.
Sean Longstaff is entering the final year of his deal in June and is at risk of being sold to recoup a fee while we can, while two others have been flagged up as players at risk should good offers arrive.
Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes face ‘uncertain futures’ and could depart to boost our budget this summer if the right bids arrive, according to [The Athletic’s](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6349238/2025/05/13/inside-newcastle-united-transfers-miley-stadium/) Chris Waugh.
Newcastle are not “actively looking” to part with either, but the pair are the highest valued players outside of the preferred starting XI, so it’s perhaps no surprise that they could be at risk if trading both helped fund moves for several top targets.
In a Q&A for The Athletic this week, North East correspondent Chris Waugh said: ‘Willock and Barnes face uncertain futures. Newcastle have not been actively looking to move on either but given sales will help facilitate the incomings required, one or both could leave.’
‘Barnes’ recent run in the team has increased the prospect of him remaining on Tyneside, because a couple of months ago, there was an expectation he may look to leave after two years at the club.
‘Willock, meanwhile, has struggled to find his best form this season but, should Longstaff leave, Newcastle would be left short in midfield if he departed.’
Joe Willock has struggled this season and is a far cry from the form he showed on his initial loan spell from Arsenal in 2021 and there has to be a question about whether he can be relied upon in what promises to be a busy 2025/26.
If Longstaff is sold, with Everton and Leeds seeming the most likely of destinations, then that would leave just five midfield options – a Willock sale would then leave just Lewis Miley as back-up to the preferred three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
At the very least we need strength in depth and, unless the sale of both Longstaff and Willock would be to raise the money to sign their replacements, it would feel illogical for it to become a priority in what is already said to be a busy transfer window with issues in attack and defensive numbers.
For that reason surely Harvey Barnes is also needed, we need to follow a similar squad building approach to Aston Villa with two quality players in each position – if he was sold, we would still need to sign another left winger.
However, if a big offer came in for the 27-year-old that was great for the club from a PSR perspective to boost our budget, it may be beneficial to accept the fee and see how we can reinvest the funds.