Deal or no deal: The major contract decisions facing Newcastle United over the coming months
There are some huge decisions to be made over the futures of several Newcastle United players.
Newcastle United are currently formulating their plans for the January transfer window as they look to build on what they hope will be a progressive first half to the season.
As it stands, the Magpies currently sit in the Premier League’s top seven after making a solid start to the campaign. Eddie Howe’s men have also progressed into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup and will aim to make further progress in the FA Cup as they look to bring a long-awaited end to the long wait for major silverware. The Magpies are hoping to add a centre-back and a winger to their ranks in January after making unsuccessful attempts to land Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga during the summer. A forward is also believed to be on the list of priorities and several potential options are being monitored.
However, there are also some major decisions lying in wait over the long-term future of several existing members of Howe’s squad as they enter key points in their current deals. 3AddedMinutes looks at the Magpies stars approaching the final six months and 18 month of the contracts and delivers on verdict on what could lie ahead.
Martin Dubravka - Contract ends summer 2025
The Slovakia international was widely expected to leave St James Park this summer following the arrivals of fellow goalkeepers Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy and was said to be the subject of interest from Celtic. However, Dubravka remains with the Magpies and appears to be main backup to first-choice keeper Nick Pope. It seems unlikely the long-serving stopper will get a new deal and could be sold in January The 3Added Minutes verdict: No deal and possible January sale
John Ruddy - Contract ends summer 2025
A somewhat puzzling addition during the summer as the veteran keeper penned a one-year deal at St James Park. By all accounts, Ruddy has become a strong voice amongst United’s goalkeeping ranks and his experience has been put to good use. Unless something drastic happens ahead of him, seems highly unlikely to earn any game-time - but could still be handed another contract as an emergency backup The 3Added Minutes verdict: Deal
Callum Wilson - Contract ends summer 2025
The England striker has endured a frustrating year with pectoral and back injuries limiting his involvement with the Magpies. Another player that was a possible departure from the club this summer, Wilson continues to be linked with clubs at home and abroad as he heads towards the final months of his deal on Tyneside. Despite being a Howe favourite, it would be a surprise to see Wilson get another contract The 3Added Minutes verdict: No deal (and possible January sale)
Dan Burn - Contract ends summer 2025
Another favourite of Howe’s, Burn has become a somewhat shrewd signing since returning to his boyhood club just under three years ago. With his ability to play at left-back and centre-back, the former Brighton and Hove Albion man has been put to good use by the Magpies boss. Will surely earn another deal - albeit one that could be limited to two years The 3AddedMinutes verdict: Deal
Fabian Schar - Contract ends summer 2025
Schar has arguably come the most successful signing of the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle. A £3m addition that has paid off many times over, the Switzerland international has become a mainstay of the Magpies back four under Eddie Howe. Integral to the style of play utilised by his manager, it seems likely Schar will earn a new deal - although much like Burn, it remains open to question what duration that may be The 3AddedMinutes verdict: Deal
Mark Gillespie - Contract ends summer 2025
Much like Ruddy, Gillespie is believed to play a big role amongst United’s goalkeeping ranks and has gone above and beyond to help outfield players put in additional work after training. Whether that is enough to see him handed a new deal remains to be seen - but there could be some major decisions to be made over the Magpies goalkeeping options over the coming months and it would be no surprise to see Gillespie moved on The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal
Jamaal Lascelles - Contract ends summer 2025
The Magpies club captain is still battling his way back from a serious knee injury that curtailed his involvement last season. Likely to remain on the sidelines until the new year, Lascelles could well be heading into the closing months of his lengthy spell on Tyneside. It seems likely the Magpies will boost their options at the heart of their defence over the next two transfer windows and that could see the former Nottingham Forest star moved on The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal (if other centre-backs are signed)
Emil Krafth - Contract ends summer 2025
Krafth has become a reliable members of Howe’s squad despite struggling to hold down a regular place in the Magpies lineup. With injuries decimating the United defensive ranks, the Swede has covered at right-back and centre-back but seems unlikely to be handed a new deal and could leave the club in January The3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal (and possible January sale)
Sean Longstaff - Contract ends summer 2025
Howe has consistently praised the academy product throughout his time in charge and Longstaff remains a trusted presence in the heart of the Magpies midfield. Despite facing competition from the likes of Joelinton Joe Willock and Sandro Tonali, Longstaff continues to enjoy the unwavering backing of his manager. That said, as an academy product, a potential sale of the midfielder could well provide a major boost for Newcastle in their ongoing battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, meaning a new deal could help protect them against a loss and have a view to a future sale The 3AddedMinutes verdict: Deal
Jamal Lewis - Contract ends summer 2025
In reality, Lewis has already played his final game for Newcastle after joining Brazilian club Sao Paolo on a season-long loan. His fate appears to have already been sealed The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal
Kieran Trippier - Contract ends summer 2026
After a wave of speculation suggested Tripper would leave Newcastle to join clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia, the former England international still remains part of the Magpies squad. A major call over his next steps is rapidly approaching and it seems unlikely Trippier will be handed a new deal before or when his current contract comes to an end during the summer of 2026 The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal (and possible sale next summer)
Nick Pope - Contract ends summer 2026
Unquestionably Howe’s number one goalkeeper and that situation seems highly unlikely to change over the coming months. Pope has been a fine addition to the Magpies squad and will remain integral for the foreseeable future. However, the England international is likely to be handed further competition from a younger goalkeeper over the next two transfer windows. That won’t impact on his position within the Magpies squad and a new deal is surely on the agenda The 3AddedMinutes verdict: Deal
Isaac Hayden - Contract ends summer 2026
The long-serving midfielder has spent the majority of the last two seasons out on loan and is currently training with the Magpies Under-21s squad. A new deal is not on the agenda and that is not likely to change any time soon. A January transfer window departure, possibly through another loan, is likely before a permanent departure next summer The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal
Matt Targett - Contract ends summer 2026
As he continues to work his way back towards challenging for a place in Howe’s side, Targett seems to be behind Dan Burn, Lloyd Kelly and Lewis Hall in the left-back pecking order at St James Park. A new deal is not believed to be in the works and the former Aston Villa man could be allowed to leave the club in January if a suitable offer is received The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal (and a possible sale in January)
Miguel Almiron - Contract ends summer 2026
Almiron’s future on Tyneside has dominated the last two transfer windows as speculation linked the Paraguay international with moves to clubs in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer. Such talk will be ramped up as the January transfer window draws closer - although Newcastle will insist on an offer approaching £15m before authorising a sale The 3AddedMinutes verdict: No deal (and a likely sale in January)
Anthony Gordon - Contract ends summer 2026
One of the most important players in the Magpies squad, Gordon reportedly ‘had his head turned’ by interest from Liverpool during the summer. However, for now, that is a thing of the past and the former Everton forward is said to be on the brink of signing a lucrative new deal that will see him become one of the highest earners in the Magpies ranks The3AddedMinutes verdict: Deal (and imminent)
Garang Kuol - Contract ends summer 2026
This one just hasn’t worked out for one reason or another. There was much excitement over the signing of the young Australian and it seems likely he will be a loan exit during January. That could decide whether he has a long-term future on Tyneside The3AddedMinutes verdict: Undecided (and probable January loan exit)