O’Rourke: Newcastle well placed to keep three star players with a ‘real close bond’
Champions League football will put Newcastle United in the driving seat to keep three of the first names on Eddie Howe’s team sheet, sources have told Football Insider.
Newcastle sit fifth in the Premier League table and only trail Chelsea on goal difference with a game in hand, giving the Magpies a chance to consolidate their place in contention for the Champions League.
With a return to Europe’s elite in their grasp, Newcastle’s benefit will be two-fold; sources telling Football Insider that Champions League qualification will go a long way to ensuring they retain their star players.
Howe’s squad having a “real close bond” helped Newcastle to claim the EFL Cup last month, but that hasn’t prevented speculation over the futures of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle in line to prevent Isak, Guimaraes and Tonali exits
Keeping hold of Isak, Guimaraes and Tonali this summer is seen as paramount to Newcastle having any sort of success next season, and Champions League football will boost their ability to so financially.
Sources have told Football Insider that the “huge” money on offer and new Champions League format gives Newcastle a good chance of succeeding, and will help Howe to attract improvements to his side.
Former Man United and Blackburn scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Isak’s new contract talks with Newcastle have stalled amid interest from Liverpool, with the Magpies desperate to keep him.
Tonali has expressed a desire to leave Newcastle with Eberechi Eze lined up as a replacement, but a Champions League berth could convince the Italian otherwise and allow Howe to sign Eze regardless.
Football Insider has also been told that Howe is set for an increased transfer kitty if Newcastle have a Champions League campaign to prepare form, and the quality of their targets is set to increase.
Newcastle prepare for bumper summer of transfers
A Champions League place isn’t in the bag yet, but that hasn’t stopped Newcastle from lining up new signings, with Football Insider revealing a “concrete” offer for Burnley’s James Trafford is ready to go.
Everton’s out-of-contract striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also admired by Howe ahead of his free-agent status, and the England international is another player Newcastle could bring in as back-up to Isak.
Isak departing St. James’ Park this summer is seen as the worst-case scenario, but Everton flop Moise Kean could be a candidate to replace him for Newcastle after turning his career around at Fiorentina.