The Chronicle have tipped Newcastle to release a range of first-team and youth players this summer, as the Magpies eye a sizable overhaul of Rafa Benitez’s squad.
Local boy Cal Roberts and 2016 signing Mohamed Diame are both expected to leave St James’ Park when their contracts come to an end next month, with Panathinaikos linked with our young winger.
Turkish and Italian outfits are also thought to be chasing Diame, while Crystal Palace could offer the 31-year-old a prolonged stay in the Premier League following his years with West Ham and Hull City before joining us.
With clubs in Germany also showing some interest in Roberts, he is thought to be taking some time to decide where his future will be after years in our academy and only making two senior appearances for United.
Several youth players are likely going to be on their way out of Tyneside next month, too, but Victor Fernandez is currently thought to be in the camp of those staying at the club.
Doubt lingers over reserve-teamers Juanito and Otto Huuhtanen, though, while Rosaire Longelo and Liam Gibson are not currently set to be offered new contracts – a clutch of unnamed EFL sides are said to be interested in Gibson.
Question marks also reside over loan duo Robert Kenedy and Salomon Rondon, with the Chelsea-owned Brazilian unlikely to be offered a permanent deal in the North East after his poor season.
Rondon, meanwhile, is still a target now that the window is open, but the striker’s age is still causing problems in negations at St James’ Park despite Benitez’s intent on retaining the 29-year-old.