Newcastle United are entering a crucial period as several senior players move towards the final months of their contracts, and important decisions now sit on the table for Ross Wilson and Eddie Howe.
As the club pushes forward with long-term plans, a number of experienced figures could be approaching the end of their time at St James’ Park, and both the club and the players will soon have to decide what comes next.
Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles are all in the last stages of their deals. All four have played meaningful roles in the squad over the years, but their futures are no longer straightforward.
Age, changing roles, squad evolution and the direction of the project have all created a sense of uncertainty. For Newcastle, the challenge is finding the balance between loyalty to players who have given everything for the shirt and the need to refresh a team that hopes to remain competitive in the Premier League and in Europe.
Fabian Schär is perhaps the clearest example of how quickly things can change. For almost four years he was a consistent starter under Eddie Howe, one of the best-value signings of the Premier League era after joining for just £3m in 2018.
He has delivered reliability, leadership and even goals, helping the team qualify for the Champions League twice in three seasons and playing a major part in ending the 70-year trophy drought with the Carabao Cup triumph.
However, the arrival of Malick Thiaw and an unfortunate concussion have pushed him into a more unsettled role. Reports from Germany suggest his long-term future may lie away from Newcastle, and even a winter exit has been mentioned. If he leaves, he will depart as one of the club’s finest modern defenders.
Kieran Trippier’s situation also carries layers. He remains a symbol of the club’s rise under the new ownership, a leader on and off the pitch and a player who helped lift standards from the moment he arrived.
But his minutes have slowly reduced as Tino Livramento has grown into a bigger role. Trippier’s quality remains, yet he turns 36 next season and has attracted long-standing interest from Monaco, Bayern Munich and several clubs in Saudi Arabia. Newcastle value his leadership, but both he and the club must decide whether the time is right for a new chapter.
Emil Krafth has lived this contract dance several times already, often ending up with a short-term agreement that keeps him in Howe’s plans. He has never been a headline player, but he has always been dependable when called upon.
Interest from FC Copenhagen was played down recently, with his agent saying the Danish side likely could not match his wages. Newcastle would be comfortable keeping him for another season, but whether Krafth feels the same is not yet clear. He may want regular football elsewhere.
Jamaal Lascelles is perhaps the most emotional case of all. He is still the club captain, still respected inside the dressing room and the longest-serving player in the squad.
Yet injuries and squad progression have pushed him outside the main picture. He has not played a competitive match since suffering an ACL injury in March 2024, and being left out of the Champions League squad revealed the club’s honest view on his role.
Lascelles may need to leave to play regular football again, but even if he does, his influence as a leader and a professional will be remembered.
With January nearing, the stakes rise even higher. Players entering the final six months of their contracts can negotiate pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs, and Newcastle hope to avoid losing valuable assets for nothing.
Ross Wilson has only just arrived, and Howe has confirmed that while conversations have taken place, there are no firm decisions yet. Both know how important the next steps will be, but for now, the club is taking a calm approach as they assess the full squad and the long-term plan.
Eddie Howe has remained relaxed in public, saying that discussions will happen naturally as Wilson settles in and evaluates the squad.
He understands the importance of these choices, but he is focused on stability and believes clarity will come with time.
Newcastle know contract decisions shape the future as much as transfers do, and the coming months will determine which of these experienced defenders continue their journey at St James’ Park and which ones begin new stories elsewhere.
Below is a simple table highlighting the status of the four players whose contracts expire in 2026:
| Player Name | Age | Position | Contract Status | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kieran Trippier | 35 | Right-back | Expires 2026 | Uncertain, interest abroad |
| Fabian Schär | 33 | Centre-back | Expires 2026 | Possible exit, Bundesliga interest |
| Emil Krafth | 31 | Right-back | Expires 2026 | Could stay or seek regular football |
| Jamaal Lascelles | 32 | Centre-back | Expires 2026 | May leave for playing time |
Newcastle stand at an important crossroads. The respect for these players is deep and genuine, but the club’s ambitions require tough decisions.
The months ahead will shape the squad’s experience, leadership and direction for years to come, and Ross Wilson’s first major test will be guiding the Magpies through these delicate choices with clarity and ambition.
