Newcastle Transfer DealSheet: Lloyd Kelly latest; right forward candidates; James Trafford bid likely (2024)

Everyone at Newcastle United is expecting a busy summer.

Head coach Eddie Howe is keen for his side to evolve with some targeted quality additions, while funds must be generated to ensure that Newcastle continue to comply with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

Here,The Athletic’s Chris Waugh runs through what to expect at St James’ Park during the upcoming transfer window…

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What positions are they looking at this summer?

The priorities are goalkeeper, centre-back, right-wing and a forward.

With Loris Karius departing and Martin Dubravka‘s future uncertain, Newcastle need to bring in at least one shot-stopper to support Nick Pope.

At centre-half, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles’ anterior cruciate knee ligament injuries mean Newcastle are short of options, even if Dan Burn moves inside from left-back permanently. Ideally, a right-sided centre-back is being sought, but multiple defenders are being targeted.

In each of the past two summers, Howe has looked to bring in a right-sided forward and has been unable to do so. That position, more than any other, is the one Newcastle feel can be most improved upon with an injection of quality.

As for a striker — or potentially a versatile forward — that may depend on Callum Wilson‘s future. Ideally, Newcastle would recruit another forward anyway, but their budgetary constraints make that difficult.

This is Newcastle’s thinking at the start of June, but there is an acceptance internally that they must be adaptable as their business depends on many variables — especially potential exits and the availability of targets.

As they have done in each of the past two summers with Pope, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento, Newcastle are also actively looking to try and pick up players from relegated clubs.

Which players are they looking at?

Positional, tactical versatility and athleticism is craved and many of Newcastle’s targets reflect that. There is also recognition that, with ageing players potentially leaving, experience is desirable.

At goalkeeper, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili have been watched. However, Newcastle’s failure to qualify for Europe means they are now considering whether to pursue either a young shot-stopper or an experienced No 2 instead of a direct challenger to Pope. Newcastle have registered an interest in Burnley’s James Trafford and are likely to follow with a bid, while Queens Park Rangers’ Asmir Begovic has been linked.

Tosin Adarabioyo had been wanted at centre-back, but Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly is the free agent Newcastle are now most aggressively pursuing. The 25-year-old can play at centre-half and left-back and Newcastle are keen to tie up a deal soon.

Perhaps their most ambitious targets are at right-sided attacker. Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is admired, but has many suitors, while West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville have all featured during recruitment discussions.

When it comes to natural centre-forwards, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has long been monitored, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has previously been approached, but is expected to move elsewhere.

The likelihood is that a significant portion of Newcastle’s kitty will be focused on a right-sided forward.

What moves have they made already?

Nothing concrete, yet, although they have tried to dip into the free-transfer market, with mixed success.

Newcastle had hoped to bring in Adarabioyo from Fulham and they did hold extensive talks with his representatives, although he now seems destined for Chelsea. However, Newcastle are still working on a deal for Kelly and Howe hopes to sign the defender for a second time, having taken him to Bournemouth.

Another transfer that is due to be completed is the £28million ($35.6m) acquisition of Lewis Hall from Chelsea, after the 19-year-old met the criteria to make his move permanent during his season-long loan on Tyneside.

Who will make the key decisions this summer?

Although Howe is head coach, he has the final say on all incomings. Even when Dan Ashworth, the outgoing sporting director, was in place, Howe ensured he remained in control.

With Ashworth on gardening leave and his replacement yet to be recruited — Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman turned Newcastle down, while 777’s Johannes Spors remains of interest — Howe is leading recruitment decisions. Targets have been identified by Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment, and Andy Howe, the assistant head of recruitment, with CEO Darren Eales, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, the co-owners, expected to conduct much of the business.

While Howe’s influence is very strong, it is not absolute. Howe would have preferred to keep Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie due to their experience behind the scenes, but a lack of European football trumped his argument.

Howe may have to sell a first-team player he would rather keep, too, given Newcastle’s need to meet PSR requirements.

Who will they be looking to sell?

There is uncertainty surrounding the futures of several first-team players, most notably Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak.

However, while Newcastle have no desire to sell either — and will only do so if Guimaraes’ £100m release clause is activated before the end of June, or if an astronomical offer arrives — they do need to raise funds from elsewhere.

Wilson is 32, entering the final year of his deal and has a poor injury record, so some at Newcastle feel it is opportune to offload the striker, even if Howe is less keen to lose the England international. Miguel Almiron, meanwhile, was offered to Saudi Pro League clubs in January and Newcastle believe he holds decent value.

Kieran Trippier has stated he wants to stay and Howe would prefer to keep the 33-year-old right-back, but the England international’s deal runs out in 2025.

A decision must be taken on Sean Longstaff, whose contract expires next summer. Tentative talks have taken place over a new deal and Howe rates him but Newcastle may consider offers for the 26-year-old, given any sale of an academy graduate would represent pure profit in PSR terms.

Dubravka is likely to depart, while Matt Targett and Jamal Lewis could also move.

Newcastle hope to sell Ryan Fraser, with a permanent move to Southampton possible, while Isaac Hayden is available. Yankuba Minteh, the exciting 19-year-old winger, is likely to be loaned out again or possibly even sold.

Which players’ contracts are expiring? Who is expected to renew?

Dummett, Ritchie, Karius, Kell Watts and Jeff Hendrick will be released at the end of June.

Mark Gillespie, the 32-year-old goalkeeper who has never made a competitive appearance under Howe, signed a one-year extension.

What is their PSR position? What do they have to do before June 30?

Newcastle are still restricted by PSR and they, like most top-flight clubs, have two separate deadlines they are working towards.

The first is June 30, the cut-off for the Premier League accounting period — and Newcastle have a PSR shortfall they must address by that date. That is also why they were unable to bring in reinforcements in January, given they failed to offload anyone.

The club are attempting to raise funds through player sales — those of ageing or fringe players, but not their prized assets like Guimaraes and Isak — yet are also looking to shore up fresh commercial deals by the end of this month.

However, once they are into July, Newcastle have the capacity to spend again, given that 2024-25 represents a fresh 12 months in the three-year rolling PSR cycle.

What sort of budget do they have?

With Champions League revenue, the Sela front-of-the-shirt sponsorship deal and the lucrative kit agreement with Adidas added to their income, Newcastle will have the ability to invest, even if they will still be constrained by PSR.

Howe claims Newcastle no longer operate with conventional budgets, given the complications of PSR, but a level of investment similar to each of the past two summers — somewhere between £70m-£100m — is probable. That is partly dependent on how much Newcastle generate from player sales, however.

(Top image: Lloyd Kelly by Justin Tallis/AFP)

Chris Waugh is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering North East football and most particularly Newcastle United. Before joining The Athletic he worked for MailOnline, and then reported on NUFC for The Chronicle, The Journal and The Sunday Sun. He has covered NUFC home and away since 2015. Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisDHWaugh