Newcastle ‘set to sanction three key exits’ before deadline day
Newcastle’s transfer window has revolved around the messy situation regarding Alexander Isak, who continues to push for a move away from St. James’ Park this summer.
Newcastle have also struggled to attract some talents who chose moves to other Premier League rivals over them, but they have managed to strengthen despite some failed pursuits.
Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey have all joined Newcastle, while Aaron Ramsdale was signed in goal.
Eddie Howe will be hoping to earn another place in the Champions League this summer and continue to deliver silverware to Tyneside after winning the club’s first trophy for 70 years as they won the Carabao Cup in February this year.
As the transfer window rolls on, Howe’s side are looking to move on three assets to make room in their squad before deadline day.
Triple exit could be sanctioned at Newcastle
Having added proven Premier League quality on attacking areas with the signings of Elanga and Ramsey, and bolstering their sturdy defence with Thiaw, Newcastle’s main aim for the rest of the window may be just retaining the services of Isak.
The Athletic‘s Chris Waugh (19 August) suggests the club won’t stand in the way of Jamal Lascelles, Matt Targett and Harrison Ashby leaving the club.
Lascelles has spent eleven years at the club, but missed the whole of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and now finds himself fifth-choice in the club’s centre-back department.
Targett has been a bit-part player since joining from Southampton in 2022, while 23-year-old Ashby hasn’t made a senior Newcastle appearance having spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
The exits would raise funds and open up squad places for further additions at the club as they look to build on their 2024-25 campaign.
Champions League should be the goal but Isak drama looms
Football Insider verdict
The drama revolving Isak’s exit from Newcastle continues to loom over Howe’s team and it has no doubt dampened the mood around the club.
Howe will be looking to qualify for a third Champions League place in four seasons having played in the competition in two of the last three seasons albeit via different methods each season.
Without Isak it’s difficult to plot Newcastle’s trajectory this campaign and Anthony Gordon was tasked with filling in for the Swedish international as the number nine for Howe during their 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.
| Alexander Isak | ST |
| Anthony Gordon | LW |
| Harvey Barnes | LW |
| William Osula | RW |
| Anthony Elanga | RW |
| Jacob Murphy | RW |
Ramsey and Elanga will add directness and dynamism to Newcastle’s attack but Isak’s absence is undeniably big with the Swede scoring 54 goals for the Magpies across the last three seasons.
One player doesn’t make a team but it’s difficult to see a Newcastle team without Isak competing with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea for a top four place.