The £65m Newcastle United transfer opportunity as Arsenal & Chelsea transfer strategy revealed

With just two games left of the Premier League season for Newcastle United, attentions are beginning to turn to talk of what could prove a busy summer on Tyneside.

Eddie Howe’s Magpies still have plenty to play for this campaign, despite a season so far which has included as many downs as it has ups. Newcastle have missed out on successive Champions League qualifications, and instead find themselves battling it out with Chelsea and Manchester United for the final two European slots - one in the Europa League and another in the Conference League, won by West Ham United last season.

In just 180 minutes, though, all the on field stuff will be over - and things will start to hot up off the field.

A number of players will leave, with the contracts of Loris Karius, Jeff Hendrick, Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and others coming to an end. The likes of Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser will also be shifted on, so too potentially first-teamer Miguel Almiron. But what wriggle room will that open up for incomings?

Two players who could well feature highly on any wanted list, especially as we know they are rated highly by the recruitment team at St James’ Park, are Emile Smith-Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale.

And, according to reports, the Arsenal duo are both set to be made available for transfer this summer.

Howe has a long-standing relationship with England keeper Ramsdale, having signed him for Bournemouth from Sheffield United. While Smith-Rowe has been talked about in Newcastle recruitment circles since before the PIF-funded takeover in 2021.

Reports suggest the Magpies will not be alone, however, in any pursuit of Ramsdale, with Chelsea also said to be considering a move.

Newcastle already have Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka in the keeper department, but the latter is likely to be allowed to leave, if United can line up a move for Ramsdale. Any move would also likely leave Pope’s future in doubt, with the former Burnley man No.1 at Newcastle since his switch in 2022.

Ramsdale is thought to be valued in the £40m category, with Smith-Rowe, according to transfermarkt, rated at £25m.