There are some big questions facing Newcastle United ahead of the start of the new season
Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe and (left) CEO David Hopkinson and (right) sporting director Ross Wilson
Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe and (left) CEO David Hopkinson and (right) sporting director Ross Wilson
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With the 2025/26 season now firmly in the rear-view mirror for Newcastle United, how they set about ensuring a bottom-half finish in the Premier League table is not repeated next season is now their absolute priority.
To do that, Newcastle will need to ask big questions of themselves, both on and off the pitch, and navigate a way forward under Eddie Howe that will take the Magpies back to the top end of the Premier League table.
That might require some painful decisions when it comes to transfer exits and definitely some clever recruitment in terms of incomings.
They also have some big decisions to make off the pitch, too, to help the club push towards CEO David Hopkinson's aim of establishing themselves among the best clubs in the world by 2030.
With less than three months until the 2026/27 season gets under way on the weekend of August 22, Chronicle Live have taken a look at the six big Newcastle questions that need answers, or some guidance, before then.
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How many of the 'big five' will still be here?
When Hopkinson said back in March that one or two of the club's big players could be sold, albeit on the club's terms, it set tongues wagging in recruitment circles.
Newcastle's 'big five' - Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon - have all been linked with moves since with the latter's departure to Barcelona set to be confirmed in the next 48 hours after United accepted a £69.3m bid.
Liverpool, remains to be seen but there is an expectation he won't be a Newcastle player in the coming weeks or months.
But will any of the other four players mentioned join him out of the exit door? Bruno Guimaraes is Newcastle's talisman and one of the best midfielders in the Premier League but whether any club would stump up the money needed to secure his departure when he turns 29 later this year remains to be seen.
Hall is attracting interest from Manchester United but it would take a serious bid for Newcastle to countenance the departure of the only recognised left-back in the squad. Livramento's injuries have made him a less attractive proposition to potential buyers and the Magpies could do without needing to sign two right-backs following the departures of Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth.
Tonali's situation feels the most ripe for change but, again, an astronomical bid would be needed to take him from Tyneside given Newcastle paid £55million to sign him three years ago and he is still under contract for at least another three years (Newcastle have an option to extend that deal to 2030).
No Italian club can afford to bring him back to his homeland and Manchester United and Manchester City's midfield priorities appear to be elsewhere. Arsenal feels like a logical home in the Premier League but whether their transfer priority is an expensive midfielder remains to be seen.
How many of those players remain on Tyneside will form the basis of the team Eddie Howe will build around.
Sandro Tonali, right, and Bruno Guimaraes
Sandro Tonali, right, and Bruno Guimaraes(Image: JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Will Newcastle sign a striker or gamble with what they have?
Newcastle's lack of cutting edge up front this season has been a problem that has cost them points but when Howe was asked directly if they would sign a striker this summer, his answer raised some eyebrows.
"Certainly not at the moment because, in terms of striker, we’ve got healthy numbers in that position," Howe said earlier this month. "It’s been a challenge for us trying to find the right balance and trying to find a way to continually score goals and create the amount of chances that he want to. I don’t think we’re quite there yet, we’ve got work to do in that area.
"But obviously Yoane has had fitness struggles. Will Osula has really grown and flowered late into the season and has done really well in recent games. Of course Anthony has played there and Nick has played there and done well early season. The players are there, we’ve just got to try and bring it all together and make it work."
Nick Woltemade started the season on fire but after the goals dried up and a failed midfield experiment, the Germany international's future appears to be as a number 10.
Yoane Wissa joined the club for £55million, was immediately out injured for three months and never really looked fit on his return, managing just three goals in his first season.
Will Osula is raw and while he managed seven Premier League goals this season, there are doubts over his long term capability to be Newcastle's leading striker.
While Howe would never admit to looking for a new forward while he has three at the club, it would be folly to not consider refreshing the goals department.
William Osula and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
William Osula and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
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How many signings will Newcastle make? Is a new goalkeeper their priority?
Alan Shearer said Newcastle need six or seven new bodies. They made six signings last summer and half of them failed to make any sort of positive impact.
Howe said previously he wouldn't expect the incoming summer business to be as vast this summer but with the rebuild facing Newcastle that stance will surely be tested.
A new goalkeeper is the ultimate priority. Aaron Ramsdale and John Ruddy are leaving the club. Nick Pope will remain but Newcastle must find a goalkeeper who can not only compete with the England international but also be good enough to take his place as number one.
A new right-back, left-back, midfielder, a winger to replace Gordon and a forward will surely be on their shopping list, too. So, too, will a new centre-half if an agreement over Fabian Schar's contract cannot be reached.
What those signings will look like will be interesting in what is the first summer transfer window with Ross Wilson at the helm as sporting director.
Alan Shearer in 2026
Alan Shearer has sent a clear message to Newcastle's higher-ups(Image: Reach Plc)
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What is Newcastle's best system ahead of the new season?
Under Howe, Newcastle have largely used a 4-3-3 and, up until this season, it has been used to great success. At times, Newcastle have played with a 5-4-1/3-4-3 system, particularly away from home, but a move to a 4-2-3-1 system in the final few matches of the season reaped positive rewards.
Woltemade thrived in a number 10 role. Jacob Ramsey looked more at home further up the pitch and Guimaraes and Tonali formed a formidable pairing in the middle of the park. If that is here to stay, that could affect recruitment decisions, too, if Newcastle sign players to fit that system above previous formations.
Will there be progress on training ground and stadium decisions?
Newcastle recently signed a three-year deal with the hydration brand Knox, that is set to be worth around £6million per season. The training ground will officially be known as the Knox during the duration of that deal.
But it is clear the Magpies are looking for a new home for their training ground in the long-term but an announcement over a protracted move to Woolsington Hall has not yet been forthcoming.
Similarly, last week's announcement that Newcastle had acquired land on Leazes Terrace brought back into focus the decision facing the club over whether to relocate from St James' Park to Leazes Park or expand their current stadium. While we may not get an official announcement in the next three months, some public guidance over what the direction of travel is over both decisions will be welcome.
Leazes Park in Newcastle, with St James' Park stadium behind
Leazes Park in Newcastle, with St James' Park stadium behind(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
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Who will be the new shirt sponsor?
Sela's front of shirt sponsorship expired at the end of the 2025/26 season and when the club release their new kits for the 2026/27 season there is a good chance they will do so having not secured a front of shirt sponsorship.
Talks are ongoing with a number of parties but it is understood Newcastle are very keen to extract the best possible deal which will help them financially.