Newcastle United have already been very active in the summer transfer window, but sporting director Ross Wilson still faces a substantial to-do list before the window closes on September 1. The Magpies generated £169 million from the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively, while several players departed on free transfers, including Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, John Ruddy, Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Targett, and Max Thompson.
Incomings have included goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade Reims, winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim, and teenage midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax. However, key positions remain unfilled, and further departures are possible. Here are the five priorities on Wilson's list.
Resolve Bruno Guimaraes' situation
The most pressing issue is the future of captain Bruno Guimaraes. The 28-year-old is Newcastle's most influential player and was earmarked to lead the post-rebuild era. The club maintains he is not for sale, despite interest from Arsenal and the player's desire to explore a move to the Premier League champions. Arsenal have not yet made club-to-club contact, but Newcastle need clarity: if he stays, he leads the reset; if he leaves, they must extract a market-value fee and secure a replacement in time.
Goalkeeper reshuffle
With Ramsdale, Ruddy, and Thompson gone, Nick Pope remains but is expected to leave after an error-strewn season. Any sale will wait until a replacement is sourced. James Trafford is the dream signing but is expensive and wants to wait until after the World Cup. Jaouen is seen as a future number two given his experience in French second tier. Aidan Harris and Mark Gillespie complete the unit, though an experienced third-choice goalkeeper may be sought.
Manzambi alternative
Newcastle lost out on Switzerland's World Cup hero Johan Manzambi, who is set to join Aston Villa despite a deal agreed with Freiburg. The club has a list of attacking midfield alternatives and continues to work behind the scenes. An exciting signing in that position would help appease fans' frustration over missing a top young talent.
Full-back cover
Currently, no senior full-back alternatives exist for Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy are the back-up options but lack first-team experience. Ideally, the Magpies need two full-backs or one who can play both sides to fill a major squad gap.
Outgoings
Beyond Pope and Guimaraes, Joe Willock is a prime candidate to leave if a Manzambi replacement is signed, with interest from other Premier League clubs. Jacob Murphy has interest from Everton and is in the final year of his contract. Alex Murphy may seek regular football via loan or permanent exit, and striker Sean Neave is ready for a loan move.
