AARON RAMSDALE
Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
The terms of Ramsdale’s season-long loan from Southampton include an option for Newcastle to complete a permanent transfer this summer for a pre-agreed fee.
However, while the 27-year-old has dislodged Nick Pope from the Magpies’ starting line-up, and will hope to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at this summer’s World Cup, Newcastle are not expected to trigger the clause for a permanent deal.
Ramsdale has done okay on Tyneside, but his performances have not been at a high enough level to compel Newcastle to sign him permanently. Questions have been asked over his shot-stopping ability and, internally, there is a feeling that better options will be available once the transfer window officially reopens this summer. As a result, Ramsdale is expected to return to Southampton once his loan deal ends.
TINO LIVRAMENTO
Newcastle United's Tino Livramento (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Can Newcastle hold onto Livramento this summer? And does the full-back want to remain on Tyneside?
The answer to both questions is currently uncertain, with speculation over Livramento’s future refusing to go away. If the 23-year-old has a good World Cup, expect it to become even more frenzied.
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Manchester City have been admirers of Livramento for the best part of two years, although sources close to the Etihad continue to insist the defender is merely one of a number of options that are constantly being monitored. Arsenal have also been strongly linked with Livramento in the last few months.
Signed for around £35m, Livramento is contracted to Newcastle to the summer of 2028. If he is to leave, the Magpies will insist on a huge profit. That is a definite possibility, although Kieran Trippier’s exit at the end of the season might make sporting director Ross Wilson more reluctant to sanction the departure of another right-back.
FABIAN SCHAR
Newcastle United's Fabian Schar (Image: PA Wire)
While Trippier’s exit at the end of the season was confirmed earlier this month, Newcastle are still to make a decision on Fabian Schar, another player whose current contract is due to expire in a couple of months’ time.
Schar hasn’t played for Newcastle for the last three months because of an ankle injury, with a recent foot infection meaning he might struggle to regain fitness before the end of the season. That means he might have already played his final game for the Magpies.
He has been one of Newcastle’s best defenders when he has played this season though, and even though he will turn 35 in December, he remains one of Howe’s most trusted lieutenants.
Howe will almost certainly be pushing for a new one-year deal, but Schar might be tempted to look elsewhere if clubs overseas are willing to offer a long-term contract.
SANDRO TONALI
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali (Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
One of Newcastle’s crown jewels, Tonali is a player that Newcastle will be loath to lose this summer. At his best, the Italian is one of Europe’s best central-midfielders and would be extremely difficult to replace.
His stock is currently high though, and there is an argument that if Newcastle could get £70-80m for Tonali, they should cash in, improve their PSR situation and reinvest the money they receive.
Tonali’s agent, Guiseppe Riso, appears to be whipping up interest in his client, with a number of clubs having been linked in the last month or so. Manchester United, who need a replacement for the departing Casemiro, seem to have a firm interest in Tonali, while Juventus could offer the 25-year-old a return to his homeland. Expect this to be a saga that runs throughout the summer.
ANTHONY GORDON
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
This morning’s headlines revolved around Gordon, who is now the subject of strong speculation suggesting he is keen to explore the possibility of leaving Newcastle this summer.
Gordon was offered to Liverpool two years ago, when the Magpies were desperately trying to avoid a PSR breach, and there has been constant murmuring since then suggesting that the England international never quite got his head around the transfer talks.
If Liverpool make another move this summer, looking to reunite Gordon with Alexander Isak, would Newcastle have the stomach to stand in the 25-year-old’s way given the way the Isak saga played out? What about if Bayern Munich firm up their reported interest?
If Gordon does want to leave, it could definitely be argued that Newcastle should cut their losses at the start of the summer rather than allowing things to drag out. They would want more than £80m though, with CEO David Hopkinson adamant that the club will not be held to ransom by anyone.
YOANE WISSA
Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa (Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire)
Might Newcastle cut their losses with Wissa this summer? They won’t be able to recoup anything like the £55m they paid to Brentford for the striker on deadline day in September, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that selling does not make sense.
Howe appears to have given up on the forward, who turns 30 in September, with Wissa having made just four Premier League starts all season. At the moment, he is barely getting off the bench.
Would anyone want to sign him? That is an unknown, but if Newcastle are willing to write off a significant sum, there would surely be a buyer somewhere. A big loss would be damaging from a PSR perspective, but paying sky-high wages to a player who isn’t playing doesn’t make much sense either.
NICK WOLTEMADE
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
The argument around Woltemade is similar to the one with Wissa, although there are two significant differences.
First, Howe has been much more willing to use Woltemade than Wissa this season, suggesting that if the German does remain on Tyneside, he could develop into a key performer next season. Second, Woltemade is only 24 and could find himself leading the line for Germany at this summer’s World Cup. He is much likelier to hold his value than Wissa.
At the moment, it does not feel as though there is a major appetite to move Woltemade on this summer. However, that might change if a formal offer is tabled for Newcastle to consider.