Newcastle United are preparing for their final game of the season against Everton, but it could be the final game for the club in the case of some players.
The Magpies are looking to secure Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons after failing to effectively qualify against Arsenal last week.
Newcastle United currently find themselves fourth in the Premier League table, but just a point separates them from Nottingham Forest in seventh, so a win at St James’ Park is crucial.
Their final league position will also determine which players Paul Mitchell signs for Newcastle this summer. Reports have stated that Newcastle will sign big names for the Champions League, but will opt for younger stars if they slip into the Europa League.
Newcastle have £150m to spend on transfers this summer, so they can afford to bring big names in. However, there are expected to be exits to make room for the new arrivals.
With the Magpies preparing for their final game of the season, here are six players who could be saying their final goodbyes at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Callum Wilson
It has been a frustrating season for Callum Wilson who has been reduced to an impact sub following Alexander Isak’s sensational form.
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Despite scoring 49 goals in 129 games for the Magpies since joining for £20m in 2020, the 33-year-old has failed to score in any of his 17 Premier League appearances this season and struggled to make an impact in his most recent start against Arsenal last Sunday.
Wilson’s contract is up at the end of the season, and there has been no indication that he will be handed a new deal with the club after five years on Tyneside.
It was recently revealed that Wilson missed the chance to automatically extend his Newcastle contract, which required him to make a certain number of appearances for the season.
Photo by Scott Llewellyn | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Scott Llewellyn | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Sean Longstaff
The only academy graduate on the list, Sean Longstaff is also bound to be disappointed with his lack of minutes for the Magpies this season.
After starting the first four games of the season, Longstaff was quickly sent back to the bench after Sandro Tonali returned from his 10-month ban and has made just a handful of starts since.
In 2025, Longstaff has played just 76 minutes of Premier League football and looks set to leave the club at the end of the season, having been close to an exit during the January transfer window.
Valued at around £10m, Longstaff is linked with moves to Everton and Leeds United, so he could prove his worth to Toffees boss David Moyes if he comes on at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Despite replacing him in the first team, Tonali said Longstaff is the most underrated player he has ever played with in his career.
Photo by Damjan Zibert/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Damjan Zibert/Soccrates/Getty Images
Martin Dubravka
Another player who stayed at the club despite serious interest in January, Martin Dubravka could make way for the arrival of James Trafford who looks set to join the Magpies this summer.
Dubravka nearly left Newcastle for Al-Shabab in January, and had even started packing his belongings for the move before Eddie Howe convinced him to stay and sign a new deal.
However, he was quickly replaced with Nick Pope after he returned from injury and has failed to make a single appearance for the Magpies since February.
Reports in April stated that Celtic were interested in Dubravka after turning down the opportunity to sign him in 2024.
Dubravka’s new deal keeps him at the club until the end of next season, but it is difficult to see him staying on Tyneside for another year.
Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Matt Targett
After showing his quality in an initial loan spell, Matt Targett has had a torrid time at Newcastle since making a permanent move in 2022.
Injuries have severely hampered his progress on Tyneside, and now 29, it is difficult to see him regaining his place in the Magpies’ starting XI.
Lewis Hall is undoubtedly Newcastle’s first-choice left-back, leaving Targett with little chance of playing next season. His exit seemed more clear after Tino Livramento, a natural right-back, was chosen to take Hall’s place when he suffered a season-ending injury.
With his exit highly likely, Newcastle could use Targett in a deal to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton. The defender was linked with a move back to his former club in January, but ultimately remained on Tyneside.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
John Ruddy
A surprise summer signing in 2024, John Ruddy has failed to make a single appearance for the Magpies all season.
The former England international was named on the bench for Newcastle’s defeat to Arsenal last Sunday, but there was very little chance of him making his debut for the Magpies aged 38.
Howe hailed Ruddy as ‘vital’ for his work behind the scenes at Newcastle, so he could stay on in some capacity for the 2025/26 campaign.
However, Ruddy could still be moved on with Trafford’s signing likely and Newcastle in need of more club-trained players ahead of their upcoming European campaign.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Mark Gillespie
Another goalkeeper who has not played a single minute of football for the Magpies this season, Mark Gillespie is a contender for having the best job in the world.
A boyhood Newcastle fan, Gillespie has lived the dream by signing for his club and spending five years on Tyneside.
Gillespie’s contract is up at the end of the season, and while there have been murmurs that he will be handed a new deal, there has yet to be any official confirmation from the club.
Now 33, Gillespie has very little chance of making his Premier League debut for the Magpies in the near future and could be released to make room for new signings this summer.
Like Ruddy, Gillespie has been praised by Howe for his work in training, with the belief that they are both experienced players who drive standards on the training ground.