- Newcastle United to confirm retained list this week
- £120,000 per-week star to leave St James’ Park
- Magpies reach £25 million transfer decision
Newcastle United are expected to confirm their retained list this week ahead of the summer transfer window with several first team stars set to leave St James’ Park.
The Magpies are believed to be close to agreeing a contract extension with centre-back Fabian Schar but there are other players not set to be handed an extension on Tyneside.
Newcastle recently confirmed a new deal for versatile midfielder Lewis Miley but those were improved terms for the 20-year-old to reflect his prominence in Eddie Howe’s side, rather than an action to remedy an expiring contract.
Anthony Gordon was the latest first team player to follow Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth out the door, Newcastle agreeing a £70 million deal with Barcelona, and more exits are expected.
Newcastle United to publish retained list ‘this week’
The Chronicle reports that the retained list will confirm that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will return to Southampton following his season-long loan at Newcastle United.
The Magpies do hold the option to buy Ramsdale permanently, meaning that a switch could be given the green light at the drop of the hat. However, the club will not activate that £25 million option.
Ramsdale made 23 appearances for Newcastle over the campaign but was never able to hold down the starting goalkeeper role for more than six Premier League matches, and finished the season playing second fiddle to Nick Pope.
Newcastle are expected to turn up the heat on talks with Reims shot-stopper Ewen Jaouen as they look for a long-term solution to the goalkeeping position.
Ramsdale, who has 195 Premier League appearances to his name thanks to time at Arsenal, Bournemouth and Southampton, may be able to reclaim a starting role at St Mary’s Stadium. Daniel Peretz had been first choice on the south coast but was only on loan from Bayern Munich.
The Chronicle adds that veteran John Ruddy and youngster Max Thompson are also set for release when the retained list is confirmed this week.
Eddie Howe quizzed on Aaron Ramsdale future
When asked about Ramsdale’s future last month, Howe had said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Aaron again. I think he’s an unbelievable lad.
“Every time that I’ve worked with him, I’ve always had a great feeling about his personality and what he brings to the group – very, very positive guy.
“He’s actually become part of the squad so quickly and a really positive part of the squad. Very good off the pitch, very good in supporting the goalkeeper, who’s playing and he’s played a lot of games this year. I think he’d be really pleased with his return in terms of minutes and what he’s given the team.
“I think we’ve seen a big improvement from the moment that he came to his level, his training performances, his game performances. I think have been really strong.”
Newcastle had already forked out £4 million as a loan fee to bring Ramsdale back to the Premier League after Southampton were relegated last season. The Magpies had also been covering the player’s £120,000 wages over the season.
Ramsdale was included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in March but was not handed any minutes in the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. He has not been selected for the World Cup.
In other news, Kevin Keegan hopes to right Mike Ashley wrong with Newcastle United return amid cancer diagnosis.
