- Newcastle should make five new signings
- Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon absent
- £200m spent to revamp squad
Newcastle United are set for a mental summer transfer window once again. Big departures are expected, and a first-team transformation is on the cards.
With that being said, there is a lot of speculation around what the team could and should look like next season. The recruitment focus has shifted to looking for a younger core, and we could well see a change of manager ahead of 2026/27.
So, here’s a look at what Read Newcastle thinks the starting XI should look like for next season.
The team is based on the assumption that Tonali, Livramento and Gordon will all be sold, as current speculation swirls around the three big names. It consists of a mix of current players, those heavily linked and some signings that would be perfect as replacements.
How Newcastle XI Should Look in 2026-27
Goalkeeper: Mile Svilar
Newcastle must go big on a goalkeeper this summer. The issues and mistakes made between the sticks have been a large reason for the disappointing results across the season.
Nick Pope is no longer showing levels worthy of a starting spot. Aaron Ramsdale is set to return to Southampton following his loan and some shaky showings when he has played.
This leaves the club in desperate need of a replacement, and Mile Svilar could be the perfect man to fill that hole. Reports from Italy (via Sport Witness) have linked the Magpies and Chelsea with the Roma shot-stopper.
Svilar has been exceptional for Roma across the last three campaigns. That includes keeping a clean sheet in just under half of his 30 Serie A games this season.
James Trafford will be the obvious pick for most. But, given the fee would likely be inflated by Manchester City and Trafford’s history with turning down Newcastle when bigger clubs come calling, Svilar gets the nod here.
Right-Back: Denzel Dumfries
With Trippier leaving when his contract expires in June. Livramento is also looking increasingly likely to move away from the club. This leaves Newcastle with a right-back problem and the need for at least one signing in that position.
A name that has come to the fore in recent days is Denzel Dumfries, with a reported release clause of just £21m in his Inter Milan contract.
Dumfries could be the perfect replacement for Trippier’s attacking threat. Whilst he may leave some defensive solidity on the table, Newcastle’s transition to a higher possession, more front-footed system could be perfect for his energetic breaks up the right flank.
Centre-Back: Malick Thiaw
Malick Thiaw has arguably been Newcastle’s best summer signing. The centre-back has largely been excellent for the Magpies, barring a few shaky moments here and there.
The German joined for around £40m from AC Milan and made the right centre-back slot his own. Thiaw will undoubtedly remain Newcastle’s first choice in that position, with a backup possibly needed given Fabian Schar’s ageing.
Thiaw’s athleticism and comfort on the ball have set him apart from any of Newcastle’s other centre-back options. Not to mention the fact that he would likely complement the attacking nature of Denzel Dumfries well should that partnership arise.
Centre-Back: Giorgio Scalvini
With the mention of needing a backup centre-back, here we have another new signing in the XI. Giorgio Scalvini has been a target for Newcastle for a couple of years now, including last January, per NewcastleWorld. This summer could be the one where he is finally signed.
The Italian is right-footed but can play in either centre-back position. He is also very adept in a back three, which could lend him well to either Eddie Howe or any new manager who may arrive.
Scalvini has struggled with injury throughout his career, but the 22-year-old has spent most of this season unscathed. He could cost Newcastle somewhere in the region of £30m. This would mark a rather modest fee for a player once considered one of the world’s biggest prospects.
The assumption here is that Botman will remain at the club. This means it could be him instead with Scalvini as backup. But the signing of the Italian does make sense for a multitude of reasons, and why not include another new signing in the XI?
Left-Back: Lewis Hall
The left back position is perhaps the most secure in the entire XI. Barring a disastrous scenario where the Magpies lose Lewis Hall this summer.
There is reported interest in the England international. Newcastle are adamant that Hall will not be allowed to leave for any fee.
Hall has established himself as not only one of the best left-backs in the Premier League but also in the world this season.
He has turned heads across Europe with his performances. Namely, keeping Lamine Yamal quiet for the majority of the two Champions League games against Barcelona last month.
Not having him next season would be catastrophic for Newcastle, and if he does stick around like the club expects, there is no doubt he will be starting.
Defensive Midfielder: Lamine Camara
With Sandro Tonali’s departure looking increasingly likely, filling the void is not going to be easy. However, Lamine Camara has emerged as one of the most prominent targets and could be very adept at doing exactly that.
Camara isn’t solely a holding midfielder, and, in many ways, it stifles his creativity. He has created more chances than over 80% of midfielders across world football this season.
Being able to step further forward is only a strength, though, and enables minutes to rotate in that area with the likes of Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey.
The 22-year-old is a keen runner and has exceptional athleticism. This is evidenced by his heatmaps, which often show him covering the majority of the pitch over 90 minutes.
His defensive contributions are also impressive, with him out-ranking more than 75% of midfielders in that metric.
Camara feels like almost a no-brainer. Young, likely not too expensive and replacing some of the attributes that will be absent if Tonali leaves.
Central Midfielder: Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey took a little while to warm to Tyneside following his £43m move from Aston Villa last summer. But since taking a starting role due to a plethora of midfield injuries, he has been very solid.
He has complimented Tonali excellently, with the two often rotating between holding midfield and the number eight role during games.
Ramsey’s ability to retain the ball and play under pressure has seen him stand out at points. His defensive work rate could see him work well alongside Camara.
There is also a creative, ball-carrying side to his game that has yet to really blossom in black and white. Once Bruno is back from injury, we could begin to see that freedom reap more contributions in the forward areas.
Central Midfielder: Bruno Guimaraes
There isn’t really any conversation to be had surrounding the other midfield spot, unless the Brazilian leaves the club this summer. But that looks unlikely at this stage with Newcastle pushing to keep their skipper.
Guimaraes is the glue that holds the team together. While that needs to shift toward a more well-rounded system going forward, there is no doubt he is integral to the project’s future and will remain the talisman next season.
Right Winger: Anthony Elanga
Having Anthony Elanga here may seem rather unsupported by fact and reality, given he has struggled massively to prove his worth thus far. However, spending £55m on a winger means he must be given more than a season’s shot at turning his fortunes around in black and white.
The Swede has shown a tendency to come inside quite often this season, contrary to what was maybe expected given his blistering pace.
Largely, the problem with that was the lack of an overlapping fullback. With Livramento leaving a lot to be desired going forward, and Trippier unable to do the running he did in his younger years.
In this example, Denzel Dumfries is the right-back. He is very forward-thinking and would get around Elanga at every opportunity, thus allowing him to tuck inside and get closer to Woltemade.
Hopefully, there will be a right winger signed who can challenge Elanga for minutes. But it makes sense to trust the former Forest man with the starting role, given all the other positions in need of strengthening.
Striker: Nick Woltemade
Newcastle have an absolute gem in Nick Woltemade if they can just figure out how to use him properly.
Get him into forward areas where he can occupy centre-backs. Play the ball into his feet and get bodies around him. From there, he can either use his technical prowess to create chances or get shots off himself.
The German has proved time and time again that he can be both a goal scorer and a facilitator. He just needs the right system to thrive.
There is no world where the club can’t look to build around him as the focal point next season. He will keep his place up front, and he will show exactly why he has the potential to go to the very top.
Left Winger: Mika Godts
Mika Godts was briefly on Newcastle’s radar last year. Despite there being no new links with the Belgian, he would be the perfect replacement for Arsenal-linked Anthony Gordon.
This has been his breakout season in many ways. Godts has played 37 Eredivisie games this season, accumulating an impressive 14 goals and 12 assists in an Ajax side that has struggled at times.
Godts has an elite technical base and is right-footed, so he would likely come inside and get around the aforementioned Nick Woltemade. He is explosive and has an innate ability to both create chances for others and find the net himself.
Add to that his determination to contribute defensively, and Godts would be an excellent signing. There are a plethora of prestigious clubs interested, including Arsenal and Chelsea from the Premier League alone. But the Belgian could be tempted to move to Newcastle if the project sells well enough.
