Newcastle could sell 2 players Howe would ‘ideally’ keep to boost transfer budget

The summer transfer window presents Newcastle United with a delicate balancing act between maintaining squad cohesion and maximizing their financial flexibility.

While the club enjoys its strongest fiscal position in years thanks to prudent management and Champions League qualification, difficult choices loom regarding two established Premier League performers who find themselves at a career crossroads at St James’ Park.

Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock – both integral to Eddie Howe’s plans when fit – have emerged as potential sacrificial lambs as Newcastle look to fund moves for higher-profile targets.

The Athletic’s revelation that the Magpies would consider “decent offers” for the pair underscores the modern reality of football economics, where even upwardly mobile clubs must occasionally trade known quantities for greater squad-building potential.

Barnes in particular represents a curious candidate for departure given his strong finish to the season. The £38 million signing from Leicester outperformed Anthony Gordon during the campaign’s decisive months, offering direct running and clinical finishing that kept Newcastle’s European hopes alive.

His eight Premier League goals came at a rate of one every 146 minutes – superior to Gordon’s return despite starting eight fewer matches.

Willock’s situation appears more precarious following an injury-disrupted season that saw him slip behind Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley in the midfield pecking order.

Yet the 24-year-old’s unique box-crashing abilities – evidenced by his 2021/22 loan spell that yielded eight goals in 14 games – suggest he could still flourish given a proper preseason.

Crystal Palace and Fulham’s reported interest testifies to his enduring reputation as one of England’s more dynamic midfield talents.

Selling both players could generate approximately £60 million – funds that would significantly bolster Newcastle’s pursuit of primary targets like James Trafford, Marc Guehi, and Joao Pedro. The potential economics break down as:

• Barnes: Could command £30-35 million given his Premier League pedigree and age (26)
• Willock: Valued around £25 million despite injury concerns due to homegrown status and proven top-flight quality

This injection would allow Newcastle to address multiple positions without jeopardizing their Profit and Sustainability compliance. However, the sporting trade-offs require careful consideration – particularly if reinvestment targets like Anthony Elanga represent sideways moves rather than clear upgrades.

The Aston Villa Conundrum

Reports of a potential Barnes-Jacob Ramsey swap with Aston Villa add another layer of complexity. While Ramsey’s technical profile suits Howe’s preferred style, exchanging a proven Premier League matchwinner for potential represents a gamble.

Villa’s interest itself should give pause – if a direct rival values Barnes highly enough to make him a priority target, should Newcastle really facilitate the move?

The specter of last summer’s Elliot Anderson deal with Nottingham Forest looms large here. While that transaction helped balance the books, Anderson’s subsequent emergence at the City Ground serves as a cautionary tale about selling developing talents too soon.

Newcastle’s decision on these two players will reveal much about their medium-term ambitions:

1. Depth vs. Quality: Does Howe prioritize maintaining a deep squad for multiple competitions or concentrate resources on elite starters?
2. Homegrown Quotas: Losing Willock would require replacing his domestic player status – an increasingly valuable commodity
3. Injury Resilience: Both players have faced fitness issues – is now the optimal time to cash in before further concerns depress value?

The club’s recruitment team must weigh whether £60 million generated from these sales could secure two superior replacements – no guarantee in today’s inflated market.

Barnes in particular seems an odd candidate to discard given his productivity and the need for proven wing options alongside Gordon and Miguel Almiron.

As Newcastle’s hierarchy deliberates, they’ll be acutely aware that the most successful clubs don’t just spend wisely – they know which players to keep. In Barnes and Willock, they possess two Premier League-proven assets entering their prime years.

While financial realities may dictate difficult choices, selling such talents to direct rivals could come back to haunt them on the pitch even as it balances the books. The coming weeks will show whether financial pragmatism or sporting ambition wins out in this critical squad calculation.