Newcastle United set to lose four players as it stands – including two England internationals

The summer transfer window brings more than just new arrivals to St James’ Park, with Newcastle United facing pivotal decisions regarding several players whose contracts expire imminently.

As Eddie Howe prepares to reshape his squad for another Champions League campaign, the club must determine which of their current roster will remain part of their ambitious project. Four established players – including two England internationals – currently stand on the precipice of departure, their futures hanging in the balance as June’s contract deadlines loom.

Callum Wilson’s potential exit carries the most emotional weight. The 32-year-old striker, who joined from Bournemouth in 2020, appears to have bid farewell to the Newcastle faithful after their final home game of the season.

His recent comments on the High Performance Podcast revealed a player contemplating life beyond football: “I’d love to leave football before football leaves me.”

Despite regaining fitness in the latter half of the season, Wilson found himself largely confined to substitute appearances, managing just one goal all campaign in the FA Cup against Birmingham City.

His diminishing role and advancing age suggest Newcastle may opt for younger alternatives to support Alexander Isak, though Wilson’s professionalism and experience could still prove valuable if terms can be agreed.

Jamal Lewis’s disappointing tenure on Tyneside seems destined to conclude this summer. The Northern Ireland international, signed from Norwich City in 2020 for £15 million, never established himself under Eddie Howe and spent last season on loan at São Paulo before injury curtailed his Brazilian adventure.

Now fully recovered but absent from first-team plans, the 26-year-old left-back represents one of Newcastle’s more costly recruitment missteps in recent years. His departure would free up both wages and a squad position for defensive reinforcements.

In goal, Newcastle face a surplus situation that demands resolution. Veteran John Ruddy arrived last summer as emergency cover but failed to make a single appearance, finding himself behind Nick Pope, Martin Dúbravka, and even Mark Gillespie in the pecking order.

At 37, his brief stint seems certain to end, allowing Newcastle to streamline their goalkeeping department.

Gillespie’s own future appears equally precarious. The local lad and lifelong Magpies fan has become something of a cult figure during his five years at the club, yet his last senior outing came nearly four years ago in the League Cup.

Now 32, Gillespie’s role as third or fourth-choice goalkeeper may no longer suit a club with Champions League aspirations, despite his popularity in the dressing room.

These impending departures reflect Newcastle’s ongoing evolution from Premier League also-rans to continental contenders.

While sentimentality might argue for retaining some of these players, cold-eyed pragmatism suggests refreshing the squad with higher-caliber options better suited to challenging on multiple fronts.

Wilson’s situation proves particularly delicate – his leadership and goal threat could still prove useful in a reduced role, but Newcastle may prefer investing in younger alternatives who can grow with the project.

The coming weeks will reveal whether any of these players receive late contract offers or depart as free agents. Their potential exits would create both financial flexibility and squad space for Howe to mold a group capable of building on last season’s successes.

For Wilson, Lewis, Ruddy and Gillespie, June represents either an ending or an unexpected new chapter in their Newcastle careers – with the club’s ambitions now outstripping the needs for sentimental retainers.

As Newcastle continue their ascent, these difficult decisions underscore the ruthless nature of modern football’s elite level.

The Magpies’ transformation under PIF ownership demands constant progression, meaning even popular figures may find themselves casualties of the club’s lofty ambitions.

How Newcastle manage these transitions – with respect for service but clear-eyed about requirements – will say much about their readiness to compete consistently at European football’s top table.