We asked for your questions for Newcastle Confidential last Thursday and, so popular did it prove, we’ve decided to stick with the format this week.

Thank you for all of the responses, and there is plenty of new information below that you’ve extracted from me!

Enjoy reading…

Whether motivated by Newcastle United’s best interests or FPL, let’s kick off with some fitness news!

Joelinton? Unfortunately, no, and this is a significant setback. As I discussed last week, the knee issue he’s managing is very likely to sideline him for the rest of the season. His absence will be keenly felt against Chelsea, particularly since their midfield is in strong form currently. Joelinton could have disrupted their play and shifted the focus towards Newcastle.

Schar? Yes. I’m told he should be fine, despite the concern over his hamstring when he left the field against Brighton on Sunday.

Which players do you think are most likely to leave Newcastle in the summer? (NUFC 360)

At least one, if not more, of the goalkeepers are expected to leave, beginning with Odysseas Vlachodimos. Depending on who joins the team—James Trafford is still a possibility—we might even see either Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka moving on.

Looking ahead, Callum Wilson’s future seems to be a 50-50 decision. His contract is expiring, and for him to stay, it’s likely he would need to re-negotiate to include appearance-based incentives due to his history with injuries.

But his cameo against Brighton last week was his best yet since returning from injury and, if he stays fit, the logic in him remaining as back-up to Alexander Isak will grow.

I can reveal there was a set number of games that would have invoked an automatic extension in Wilson’s contract, but they will not be met. Don’t forget, it could also be the player who fancies a new challenge – especially if an offer comes from abroad – rather than the club showing him the door.

Elsewhere, Sean Longstaff’s future will be dictated as much by Longstaff himself. He isn’t in the worst position, with 12 months to run on his contract and a European campaign to come next season. It might be that he waits to go on a free.

Ideally, for the club, they would want to recoup a fee for him this summer. That, however, needs a buyer and needs the player to want to go. It’s not a clear-cut situation, this one.

And here is a leftfield (left wing) update, but a few Premier League clubs are interested in Harvey Barnes. This includes, I’m told, Aston Villa.

Maybe his recent run in the team has changed things, but coming out of January I expected Barnes to move on this summer.

He’s done very well recently, though, and has shown why he is a very useful player to have around.

But could Villa’s interest (and their own PSR situation) open the possibility for a swap deal of sorts? Which leads us onto…

Are there any teams in potential PSR trouble come June 30? If so, how likely are we to try and take advantage of them the same way we were last summer? (Lewis)

Yes, there are, and the word in the game is that Villa will have to sell at least one. Newcastle like Jacob Ramsey, but could they afford to spend a decent chunk of their budget on a midfielder?

I’m not so sure, unless the deal was manufactured in a way to suit all parties. One to watch, especially amid the Barnes interest.

What is the plan to bring in a viable back-up for Alexander Isak? (Potomac Toon)

Now this is interesting. If Isak stays, and Newcastle desperately want him to, then his back-up will either continue to be Callum Wilson and William Osula or, as they hope to do, sign a versatile right-winger who is a legitimate deputy at No 9.

This is why Matheus Cunha is so admired. Bryan Mbeumo also has that versatility, while Liam Delap’s situation is being monitored.

But what I can reveal is that Newcastle have continued to watch RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, including during last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich, in which he scored a fabulous goal.

Why? He would not be a back-up option to Isak, but he could be a replacement. Newcastle have to do the groundwork in case of all eventualities and, while it is hoped and expected that Isak will remain, scouts need to build knowledge and reports on potential targets.

Newcastle have long admired Sesko and their presence in the stands at several of his games this season is certainly worthy of note and interest. The 21-year-old has a release clause of around £67m.

Who are your personal favourite candidates for each of the positions that Newcastle will likely strengthen in during the summer window? For example; GK, CB, RW etc? (Oliver Gill)

OK. This is simple enough.

Goalkeeper: James Trafford. I like his confidence. I like his kicking. I like his agility. I like his young, English profile. He’ll succeed Jordan Pickford as England’s No 1, I believe. I like him a lot!

Centre back: Marc Guehi. I’ll be honest, having watched him for England, I think Guehi has some weaknesses that need to be worked on. Aerially, especially.

But where better to improve than under Eddie Howe? I like how cool he is and he reads the game so well. He can bring the ball out of defence and pass through the lines.

There is a lot to work with (he’s only 24) and if the price did not go much beyond £40m, I think he’d be a smart buy for Newcastle.

Right wing: Matheus Cunha. I’m hearing that Manchester United are at the front of the queue and are offering a fatter salary than Newcastle can, but I love Cunha as a player.

Him versus Bryan Mbeumo? Cunha every time, for me. His ceiling is far higher. He’s got swagger, class and goals. For me, he screams Newcastle United.

Concerns about his attitude? I’m told from folk who know that he’s a sound character and is highly intelligent. In a different environment, maybe those discipline issues could be kept in check.

Sadly, after all of this, he is still most likely to join Manchester United.

Will we look to recruit a full back this summer. Assuming Matt Targett will leave or be loaned out, Lloyd Kelly’s gone and Kieran Trippier’s future is up for debate. We could probably do with a young left back or someone who can play both sides. With this, do you know what the club’s plan is for Leo Shahar? (Daniel)

I haven’t heard of a full back being on the wish list, no. As it stands, I’d expect the full back options next season to be Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and, don’t forget, Dan Burn. That’s a pretty decent stable to me.

As for Leo Shahar. Yes, they like him a lot, and I can see why. I watched him play for England Under 17s at St George’s Park last year and he reminded me of Trippier. How about that for a compliment?

Are we aiming to stretch the budget and bring in 4-5 players for depth and Europe or are we looking at 2-3 top-quality starting XI players? (Clayton Hughes)

That will depend on who leaves. For now, my information is very much focused on the latter – two or three quality starters.

What sort of budget will NUFC have without Champions League football this summer? (NorthEastSte)

I’m told it would likely be similar to the summer of 2023, when Newcastle had a budget of around £70m and needed sales to bolster that and unlock PSR. Let’s hope for Champions League…

Is Harrison Ashby seen as the back-up to Livramento when/if they move Trippier on this summer? Or will Ashby himself be sold? (Geordie Brett)

I’ve heard nothing to suggest Ashby is viewed as a viable first-team member next season. He could well be sold or loaned out again.

The news about a new stadium has gone a bit quiet recently. How close are we to finding out what the next steps are? (Andy Wilson)

I’m expecting an announcement/update within the next month.

We’ve signed a number of young talents from across Europe (Yildiz, Cordero, Saila etc), what are the plans with these players? Will they be part of the first team squad, or will they be loaned out? (Geordie 85)

They will all be loaned out. They are not considered ‘first-team’ signings yet and, as such, Eddie Howe has had close to little involvement.

It’s the job of Jack Ross (who I continue to hear good things about) to identity suitable clubs for them next season, most likely on the continent.

Jacob Murphy has been excellent this season but I still think I would play Barnes and Gordon and let them swap wings now and again – thoughts ? (Paul)

There are three huge games left. For me, Anthony Gordon a big-game player. I’d find a way to start him now, yes.

Heard anything about Genk midfielder Ibrahima Bangoura, Craig? Strong links coming out of Belgium (Magpie Media)

No, but come back next week and I might have an update!

You ‘discovered’ Tonali (cough) last time in Milan, find anybody this week? (Chris)

Haha. Yes, when I covered the 2023 Champions League semi-final between Milan and Inter, I did later bump into a Newcastle staff member and told them how much I thought of Tonali (three months before he was linked with Newcastle). I also said I wasn’t sure he was right for the Premier League…

Anyway, did I spot anyone else this week? I was lucky enough to be in the San Siro on Tuesday night for Inter’s 4-3 win over Barcelona, but my scouting radar was down somewhat, given my head was down for the most part trying to put the game into words!

But here were my takeaways… Nicolo Barella would be wonderful in midfield alongside Sandro Tonali. I really loved watching him play. Lautaro Martinez is one of the most under-rated forwards in world football. And Federico Dimarco is a bull with studs!

I shall feed this information back into Newcastle…

Any news on PIF buying a European team and going down the multi club route? (Ki-ki Delendo)

I’m told this is not currently on the agenda. It would be part of Jack Ross’ role if it were, but my information is that associate clubs and partner clubs (rather than a multi-club model) are more likely in the short term.

TOON TEASER

Last week’s question was… 

Newcastle have had 10 players in their history who have been capped (at some point in their career) by Scandinavian countries.

They were: Alexander Isak, Emil Krafth, Andreas Andersson (Sweden), Jon Dahl Tomasson, Bjorn Kristensen, Benny Arentoft, Peter Lovenkrands, Frank Pingel (Denmark), Ronny Johnsen (Norway), Bjarni Gudjonsson (Iceland).

This week’s puzzler is… On a similar theme, name the ELEVEN players from Spain and Portugal who have played for Newcastle… good luck!