We've tasked Grok with predicting Newcastle United's activity in the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United’s 2025/26 campaign has not gone to plan so far, and already, the powers that be at the club will be casting an eye toward summer.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency, and while FA Cup or Champions League success is still possible, it feels unlikely given how things have panned out. Nevertheless, Eddie Howe has a strong crop of players at his disposal, and with a few tweaks here and there, Newcastle could challenge at the top again next season.
With that in mind, we’ve tasked X’s AI chatbot Grok with predicting Newcastle United’s summer transfer window.
Newcastle United’s summer transfer window predicted
Contracts renewed
Fabian Schar
Grok: Fabian Schär deserves a one-year extension. At 34, he remains a commanding presence with excellent aerial ability, passing range, and experience that stabilises the defence amid injuries. His leadership and integration into Eddie Howe’s system make him worth retaining as cover and mentor for younger centre-backs like Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman, especially while the club pursues top-half consistency.
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Contracts released
Kieran Trippier
Grok:Kieran Trippier should not be offered a new deal and allowed to leave as a free agent. At 35, mobility and injury concerns limit his reliability in an intense, modern full-back role. While his crossing and set-piece delivery remain assets, the club needs fresher options to push forward aggressively, freeing wages and squad space for younger full-backs like Tino Livramento to take primacy.
Emil Krafth
Grok:Emil Krafth’s contract should expire without renewal. The 31-year-old provides versatile cover but has been plagued by inconsistencies and injuries, rarely featuring as a starter. Letting him depart streamlines the defensive options and allows investment in more athletic, reliable backups without blocking youth progression.
Mark Gillespie
Grok: Mark Gillespie should leave as a free agent. As third-choice goalkeeper at 33, he offers experience in training but minimal first-team impact. With potential successors in place, his departure clears the wage bill for academy or emerging keepers without weakening the goalkeeping department.
Aaron Ramsdale
Grok:Aaron Ramsdale’s loan should not convert to a permanent deal. The 27-year-old provides solid back-up but faces uncertainty over regular minutes behind Pope. Newcastle’s long-term planning favours a younger, ball-playing profile for competition and succession, making a return to his parent club or elsewhere more suitable.
Players sold
Nick Pope
Grok:Nick Pope should be sold this summer to capitalise on his remaining value before age impacts his value further. At 33, he remains a solid Premier League goalkeeper, but competition and long-term planning demand a successor. A transfer fee in the region of £20million could be achieved from interested clubs seeking experience, providing funds for a younger upgrade while avoiding a later decline in resale potential.
Harvey Barnes
Grok:Harvey Barnes is a candidate for sale to generate significant funds and refresh the wide attacking options. His contributions have been solid but inconsistent due to injuries and competition from Gordon and others. At 28, a move could suit him for regular starts elsewhere, with Newcastle likely to command £30-40m given his pedigree and Premier League-proven output, bolstering the budget for multiple incoming priorities.
William Osula
Grok: William Osula should be sold to generate funds and manage squad depth in attack. The 22-year-old forward has shown flashes of potential with his pace and physicality, but limited minutes and competition from established options like Woltemade, Wissa and Gordon restrict his development. At this stage, a transfer fee in the region of £15-20m could be realistic from Championship or mid-table Premier League clubs, allowing Newcastle to reinvest in a more immediate-impact forward or other priorities, while giving Osula regular football elsewhere.
Players bought
Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta)
Grok: Newcastle require a reliable successor to Nick Pope. Marco Carnesecchi, a highly-rated Italy international in his mid-20s with strong shot-stopping, distribution, and command, brings modern goalkeeping qualities ideal for building from the back. Paying around £35-40m secures a proven Serie A performer with high potential as a long-term No.1, addressing occasional errors from the current setup and ushering in the post-Pope era in a possession-based system.
Dayann Methalie (Toulouse)
Grok: Lewis Hall performs solidly, but depth at left-back remains thin with departures looming and Dan Burn ageing. Dayann Methalie, a versatile young French talent capable at left-back and centre-back, adds athleticism, crossing, and defensive cover. A fee of £20-25m aligns with his rising profile and provides width to support wingers like Anthony Gordon while offering future-proofing across the backline.
Joane Gadou (RB Salzburg)
Grok: Despite Botman and Thiaw’s promise, defensive injuries and depth issues persist. Joane Gadou, an athletic 19-year-old French talent standing at 6'4", with strong ball-playing ability, pace, and aerial dominance, strengthens rotation and counters top attackers effectively. Investing £25-35m (aligned with his current €12-16m market value and rising profile) future-proofs the unit, blending seamlessly into Eddie Howe’s aggressive high-line system for sustained top-half challenges and long-term defensive evolution.
Ederson (Atalanta)
Grok: Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali anchor midfield excellently, but added energy and box-to-box dynamism boost rotation and injury resilience. Éderson’s progression, pressing intensity, and goal threat from deeper areas elevate control and attacking output. A transfer in the £35-45m range secures a proven Serie A performer who fits the profile for long-term midfield evolution and European aspirations. A double raid on Atalanta is completed.
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