By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

6th May, 2023 | 10:00am

Sources: Brutal Newcastle United seven-player clearout begins

Newcastle United have picked out seven players to sell this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Loris Karius, Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Emil Krafth, Matty Longstaff and Matt Ritchie are all set to depart St James’ Park as part of a major squad overhaul.

The Tyneside club are preparing to flex their new-found wealth since the Saudi-backed takeover, but are wary of overstepping their Financial Fair Play limitations.

In order to thin the squad and balance the wage bill, Eddie Howe has decided with the Newcastle board that the seven first-team players should be cleared out.

Ritchie, Kairus, Longstaff and Dummett are all set to have their contracts expire at the end of the season and leave on a free transfer.

Football Insider sources revealed on Friday (5 May) that Ritchie is set to quit Newcastle in search of more regular first-team action.

Out-of-favour duo Lascelles and Krafth have been put up for sale with Newcastle in the market for a new centre-back, while Darlow is likely to complete a permanent move away from the club following his loan spell at Hull City this season.

Howe is eager to upgrade his squad following a remarkable Premier League campaign that could result in the club qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2002.

The Magpies boss no longer considers any of the seven players to be at a good enough level to play regularly for Newcastle and has therefore informed the board that they are surplus to requirements.

In other news, Borussia Dortmund in talks to sign Newcastle £20m target Ivan Fresneda