“Both could leave” – Newcastle considering two first-team sales to boost summer budget?
Newcastle United are preparing for a transformative summer, one that could redefine their squad as they aim to compete more seriously in Europe next season. With the transfer window approaching and financial regulations like PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) always looming, the club’s strategy appears focused on smart investments—possibly funded by the sale of some high-value but non-essential first-team players.
Among those with uncertain futures are Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff. Wilson, whose contract expires at the end of the current campaign, remains in limbo, fighting for an extension that would keep him from walking away as a free agent.
Longstaff, on the other hand, enters the final year of his deal in June, making him a prime candidate for a sale while the club can still command a transfer fee. While neither move is confirmed, both scenarios represent decisions Newcastle will need to make promptly to avoid financial and strategic setbacks.
Beyond these two, there’s increasing speculation surrounding the potential departures of Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes. Although the club is not actively seeking to offload either player, their situations are being monitored closely.
According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Willock and Barnes are considered the highest-valued assets not currently in Eddie Howe’s preferred starting XI. This makes them viable candidates for sale should lucrative offers materialize, especially if such deals could help finance incoming transfers that align more closely with the manager’s tactical vision.
Barnes, who endured an uncertain stretch earlier in the season, has more recently worked his way back into the matchday picture. That resurgence could influence the decision to retain him, though any significant offer could still prompt a reassessment.
At 27, he’s in the prime of his career and could attract attention from Premier League rivals or clubs abroad, especially if his recent performances spark belief in his long-term value. His departure, however, would leave a noticeable gap on the left flank, one that would need to be filled with a player of similar or better quality.
Considering Newcastle’s desire to build squad depth in the style of clubs like Aston Villa—ensuring two reliable options per position—letting Barnes go without a replacement plan could undermine that philosophy.
Willock’s situation is a bit more complicated. Once hailed as a rising star during his loan spell from Arsenal in 2021, he’s struggled to recapture that form in the current campaign. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued his progress, casting doubt over his ability to contribute meaningfully in the high-intensity 2025/26 season.
However, his sale becomes less feasible if Longstaff also departs. In that case, Newcastle would be left with a midfield comprising Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, and young Lewis Miley as the sole backup.
Such limited depth in a position central to Howe’s high-energy system would not only be risky—it could be disastrous over a long season that includes European fixtures.
Selling Willock and Longstaff simultaneously, without immediate reinforcements lined up, would weaken the midfield significantly. And while Newcastle may look to raise funds through sales, they cannot afford to compromise squad stability, especially with injuries and fixture congestion always a possibility.
The balance Newcastle must strike is delicate. They need funds to strengthen areas like their attack and defense, both of which require bolstering to compete at the top level.
However, offloading players like Barnes and Willock purely for financial gain, without accounting for the immediate footballing consequences, could leave the team short-handed in crucial moments.
If a significant offer arrives for Barnes—one that aligns with PSR needs and provides a meaningful boost to the summer budget—the club may feel compelled to accept. Yet that decision must come with a clear reinvestment strategy.
Selling a player without a succession plan contradicts the long-term vision Newcastle seem to be working toward: building a deep, competitive squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
Ultimately, the club’s summer activity will reflect a careful balancing act between financial responsibility and footballing ambition. Eddie Howe and the recruitment team face tough decisions in the weeks ahead.
Who stays and who goes will likely hinge not just on form and potential but on the numbers behind the scenes—and the opportunities that emerge in the ever-shifting transfer market.