Succeeding the arrivals of the four fresh faces at the club’s Benton base, Newcastle are now preparing to offload a number of fringe players, according to The Chronicle.
It is believed Steve McClaren has told a number of players deemed surplus to requirements, including Yoan Gouffran, Haris Vuckic, Gael Bigirimana, Mehdi Abeid and Kevin Mbabu, that they are free to leave the club this summer.
Mike Williamson is another player expected to leave the club before the transfer window slams shut, with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United reportedly keen on the 32-year-old.
It appears increasingly unlikely that we will see another centre-back arrive on Tyneside this summer, now that Fabricio Coloccini’s contract issue is resolved. The captain, Steven Taylor, Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba and Paul Dummett are all competing for a central spot should prove to be adequate depth.
Reports claiming Newcastle are interested in Jannik Vestergaard are also false, as per The Chronicle, but there is believed to be interest in Leeds United defender Sam Byram. With his current contract set to expire next summer, he would be available at a cut-price this summer.
Lastly, Charlie Austin still remains on Newcastle’s radar, but QPR’s valuation has deterred the Magpies from following up their initial interest.
