NUFC could decide to cash in on some of their stars who can leave for free in 12 months
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Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar
Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
It's all about this summer's transfer window at Newcastle United right now, but the Magpies hierarchy will already have one eye on the 2026 trading period. United always plan several windows ahead, but next summer could present an interesting challenge, and one which they will need to address now.
As things stand, a total of nine first-team players will be out of contract this time next year, with some big decisons to be made on the future of a many in Eddie Howe's squad. Newcastle need to be able to sell players in order to avoid more FFP and PSR issues, meaning they will not want to lose anyone for free if possible.
Callum Wilson looks set to depart as a free agent at the end of June, with the Newcastle No 9 on the verge of leaving the club after five goal-filled seasons on Tyneside. However, while some exits are inevitable, United face some transfer decisions on key stars this summer, to avoid losing them for nothing on 12 months.
Perhaps most pressing is Sean Longstaff. The academy graduate has had an excellent career at Newcastle to date, but has seen first-team opportunities hard to come by since the turn of the year.
At 27, he will want to be playing regularly, and although there will be more chances next term with European football meaning more squad rotation, the chances of first-team football elsewhere could prove hard to turn down. As a homegrown player, United will maximise their profit on any deal, so a parting of the ways this summer could be best for all parties.
Kieran Trippier has shown how important he still is to this United side with some excellent performances this season, particularly when injury ruled Lewis Hall out for the rest of the campaign. The experienced defender has been linked with moves abroad, although Howe would be reluctant to see him go.
While Tino Livramento could be first choice next season, one more year in black-and-white could then see Trippier leave on a free next summer for a final move, with his leadership a key factor in any decision.
Similarly, Fabian Schar has been an intergral part of the first-team, but faces a potential challenge to from any new defensive signings. It's highly unlikely United will look to cash in on Schar now, however. He'll be 34 when his contract expires next summer, but we could even see that extended should he maintain his current high standards.
Another with a potential decision to make is goalkeeper Nick Pope. He underlined his value with a series of excellent displays in the latter stages of the season, but will have seen constant speculation over new signings to compete for his spot. The former England shot-stopper coul;d potentially be used as part of any deal to bring James Trafford to Tyneside, but while he is now 33, he will feel that he has plenty left to offer.
Should United sign at least one defensive target, then the future of three defenders could come into question in the coming months. Club captain Jamaal Lascelles has not played since March 2024, but returned to the squad in the final games of the season, while Matt Targett barely featured for the past two seasons due to injury and the emergence of Lewis Hall.
Both could be candidates for cut-price exit, although Howe has often spoken about Lascelles' important dressing room role. The former Nottingham Forest defender could find opportunities tough, even with rotation, with Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Schar already ahead of him, and expected new faces to arrive.
Versatile Swedish defender Emil Krafth rarely lets anyone down when given the chance, and could feature more regularly next term, particularly in domestic cups as United looked to compete on four fronts. He would need to be replaced if he was to leave, and could yet earn an extension.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka almost left in January, with emotional farewell scenes following the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal. But United persuaded him to sign an extension, which will run out next summer. If Pope was the leave then the Slovakian would still have an important back-up role, but could be one who will be allowed to leave on a free next year.
Believe it or not, Isaac Hayden stlll has a year left on his Newcastle contact, although the former Arsenal midfielder is expected to leave on a permanent deal this year. Several loan moves have not quite worked out for the 30-year-old, but United will not stand his way if a new club can be found.