Ross Wilson plans Newcastle United crunch talks as four players set to leave in 2026
Newcastle United face important decisions regarding several players' contracts in the coming months.
Newcastle United have some key players understood to be heading into the final half season of their contracts at St James’ Park.
Kieran Trippier (35), Fabian Schar (33), Emil Krafth (31) and Jamaal Lascelles (32) are all set to be out of contract at the end of the season as things stand. Given their respective ages and roles in the first-team squad, Newcastle face a decision whether to keep hold of some of their most experienced defensive players, cash-in in January or offer them a new deal.
It’s also a decision for the players themselves as they contemplate their own futures and roles in the side. The four aforementioned players have all been linked with moves away in recent seasons and would have no shortage of interest should they become available.
Fabian Schar
Schar has been one of the consistent members of Eddie Howe’s starting line-up over the past four years. The Swiss centre-back will go down as one of Newcastle’s greatest signings of the Premier League era having joined the club for just £3million in 2018.
Schar is closing in on 250 appearances for the club and has scored 22 goals in all competitions. He played a key role in helping the side qualify for the Champions League twice in three seasons as well as ending the 70-year domestic trophy drought with two goals en route to winning the Carabao Cup last season.
But the summer arrival of Malick Thiaw paired with an unfortunate concussion, has seen Schar’s previously cemented place in the starting line-up become anything but guaranteed.
As such, there are question marks over his future and whether he would commit to a new contract if it meant being used as a rotation option.
Reports from Sky Sport Germany have claimed that even a winter exit is ‘possible’ for the defender, with a new deal described as ‘unlikely’ amid interest from Bundesliga clubs.
Regardless of what the future holds for Schar at Newcastle, he will go down as one of the club’s greatest defenders of the modern era.
Kieran Trippier
Another defensive icon for Newcastle. Trippier has regularly been linked with a move away from St James’ Park but has remained at the club and continued to prove his worth to Howe’s side.
The emergence of Tino Livramento in recent seasons has diminished Trippier’s on-field role slightly, but he remains a key member of the squad and leadership group. His contract situation, the fact he turns 36 next season and the well-documented interest from the likes of AS Monaco, Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League previously mean he’s another player whose future is very much up in the air.
Emil Krafth
Krafth has been in this situation several times before at Newcastle but so far has always ended up being handed a new short-term deal. The Swedish defender has proven to be a dependable member of Howe’s squad when needed despite limited appearances.
He has had interest from FC Copenhagen leading up to the January transfer window though that was played down by his agent, Patrick Mork, who suggested the Danish side couldn’t afford the 31-year-old’s wages.
Like Trippier and Schar, Howe would be happy to keep Krafth around the club for another season. But whether the player wants the same is another matter.
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Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles is still officially Newcastle’s captain despite not starting a competitive game for the club since suffering an ACL injury in March 2024.
The 32-year-old is the longest-serving member in Newcastle’s squad but is no longer in serious contention for a starting spot in the side. Lascelles being left out of Newcastle’s Champions League squad is an indicator that the centre-back will likely have to head elsewhere to secure regular first-team football.
But as captain and a member of the leadership group, he remains a highly respected player and important voice behind the scenes.
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Eddie Howe discusses new contracts at NUFC
Newcastle’s new sporting director Ross Wilson will deal with player contracts over the coming months with several key decisions to be made.
But once January comes around, those players into the final six-months of their contract will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement to join a club abroad on a free transfer in the summer. It’s something Newcastle would ideally look to avoid if possible.
Eddie Howe was asked about contracts ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester City.
"I haven't had discussions with Ross on any players' contracts really,” he said. “I think he's evaluating everything as he's come in.
“He's very new into the building, so I'm sure he's taking a lot in regarding our own players' contracts and January etc. We've obviously had discussions, but not necessarily got to firming up plans for the future in that respect yet.