For the first time since the summer of 2023, Newcastle United head into a transfer window with some form of clarity.
Eddie Howe, the head coach, may have endured his most difficult start to a full Premier League season on Tyneside, but at least he has a CEO and sporting director in place, while Newcastle are not unduly hamstrung by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Even so, 2026 feels like a significant year for Howe and his own longevity. Renewal is required if Newcastle are going to continue to challenge for trophies and Champions League qualification.
The information found within this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Sources with knowledge of transfer dealings, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, have been spoken to before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment.
Here, The Athletic outlines what Newcastle fans can expect in the transfer market next year…
Who will make key decisions over the two windows?
Despite the executive-level turbulence at St James’ Park, Howe has been the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to transfers and will remain so.
Ross Wilson arrived as sporting director in October and has forged a positive working relationship with Howe already — a significant change from the tension that existed under Paul Mitchell, his predecessor — and will be looking to lower the squad’s average age, especially at centre-half and in midfield. Once again, players aged 24 and under will primarily be sought.
Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment, is highly regarded, especially when it comes to spotting younger talent, with Wilson believing Newcastle must prioritise further raising the level of their under-18s and under-21s so they can produce more players to populate the first team or be sold for profit.
Andy Howe, the assistant head of recruitment and Eddie’s nephew, oversaw incoming transfers during the summer, when there was no sporting director, and remains influential.
How the dynamics of this Wilson-led operation work in practice during the pressures of a window remains to be seen, but the sporting director has already held recruitment meetings at an increased cadence, and the noises so far have been positive.
What positions will they be looking at in 2026?
Full-back, midfield and goalkeeper are the priority positions, but in reality, Newcastle are considering options across the pitch as they aim to take the next step in their evolution.
In January, Newcastle are focusing on full-back cover and strengthening in midfield, though, as ever, injuries could alter plans. The message is that if reinforcements are to arrive mid-season, it will be because long-term targets have become available at a competitive price and future business is being expedited, as happened with Anthony Gordon in January 2023.
Come the summer, restructuring the goalkeeper department is a critical concern.
Aaron Ramsdale is currently on a season-long loan from Southampton, which Newcastle have the option to make permanent, but the club may look to bring in stiffer competition for Nick Pope. A goalkeeper who is more comfortable distributing with his feet would represent organic growth in their playing style.
The expectation is that at least one young forward will arrive across the course of next year, there will be incomings and outgoings in midfield, a youthful centre-back or two will be sought, while replacing one of the wingers is not out of the question.
Newcastle may want to bring in stiffer competition for Pope (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Are there any players they are already looking at?
Kees Smit, the AZ midfielder, is greatly admired. Newcastle enquired about the 19-year-old over the summer, but AZ were adamant he was not for sale. The Dutch Under-21 international is being watched by Europe’s top clubs, however, and Newcastle recognise they face a challenge to lure him to Tyneside, though an aggressive mid-season bid is believed to represent their best chance of pulling off a coup.
Monaco’s Lamine Camara, Valencia’s Javi Guerra, and Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss have also previously featured during internal conversations.
At goalkeeper, James Trafford was the subject of an 18-month pursuit before Manchester City enacted their buy-back option in July. While reports claiming Newcastle have re-engaged with the 23-year-old’s camp are premature following the manner of the summer rejection, the England international was identified as Pope’s long-term successor and is still rated. Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel is also liked.
Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, the 21-year-old striker, is viewed as an exciting prospect, though his likely asking price may prove prohibitive. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen was the subject of two Newcastle bids over the summer, though Yoane Wissa’s eventual purchase makes a return for the Norwegian less likely.
At centre-half, Newcastle want younger players to challenge their present starters. Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini is among those watched long-term.
Who will they be looking to sell?
Newcastle are keen to avoid becoming seen as a ‘selling club’ and will fight to keep hold of key players such as Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento, though a significant outgoing cannot be ruled out given the potential PSR benefits and the desire to refresh.
Joe Willock is the most likely to depart, given at least one midfielder is being sought, and the 26-year-old has essentially fallen to sixth choice. Willock’s contract expires in 2027, and Jacob Ramsey appears a natural successor as a dynamic ball-carrier.
Will Osula, the 22-year-old striker who almost joined Eintracht Frankfurt, still appears destined to leave in 2026. That will only happen in January if Newcastle can sign a young forward, which is far from certain.
If a new contract cannot be negotiated with Sven Botman, which Newcastle are hopeful it can, then the Dutchman may be sold, rather than be allowed to enter his final 12 months.
Emil Krafth, the 31-year-old defender who is in the last year of his deal, is likely to depart, possibly as soon as January, with Copenhagen interested.
Willock is the most likely to depart (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Which players’ contracts are expiring? Who will they renew?
Newcastle have six senior players whose deals are due to expire next summer, most notably those of club captain Jamaal Lascelles, vice-captain Kieran Trippier, and Fabian Schar.
Lascelles appears likely to leave, given he has made only two appearances this season and was left out of the Champions League squad. Trippier, meanwhile, is 35, and it seems like his Newcastle career is coming to a natural conclusion. A decision over Schar is yet to be made. He has been usurped by Malick Thiaw and is 33, but it may depend on whether Newcastle are confident of signing a younger replacement next summer.
The respective futures of John Ruddy, the 39-year-old goalkeeper, and Mark Gillespie, a shot-stopper who has never appeared under Eddie Howe, may depend on incomings. Krafth’s contract is also up.
What is their PSR position? What sort of budget do they have?
Mercifully, PSR will not be a significant inhibitor on Newcastle’s business.
Certainly, no sales are required in January to ensure Newcastle comply, and they are not expected to be essential next summer.
That is largely down to the transformative effect the British record £125million ($163.8m) sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool had on Newcastle’s finances. The negative aftershocks of Isak’s exit are still hampering Howe’s side on the pitch, but off it, they have banked PSR headroom.
There are still limitations to what Newcastle can spend — especially when it comes to wages, with their disciplined salary structure still significantly lower than the so-called ‘Big Six’ average — yet they have the capacity to invest during both 2026 windows. Strategic sales may still be made to offset incomings, but offloading a key player against their will, or an academy asset like they had to with Elliot Anderson in 2024, will not be necessary.
Having invested an initial £241m on five permanent signings last summer, Newcastle have already committed a portion of their PSR space. While one or two additions may be possible in January, multiple incomings are expected during the off-season, when upwards of £100m may be spent.
What will be the manager’s priority?
Evolving and reinvigorating a first XI which has served him well but which requires an injection of youth, quality and variety.
Howe has relied upon a core group of players such as Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Trippier, and, after a summer of increasing squad depth, it is essential that the starting line-up itself is improved upon and changed next.
Not necessarily in wholesale terms, but with clear advancements and alterations that make Newcastle less predictable and help them progress. Whether that is to better service Nick Woltemade, a stylistically different centre-forward to Isak, or to simply find a way of taking Newcastle to the next level, 2026 is the year some sort of regeneration is required.