After finishing the Premier League season on a decent note, Rafael Benitez would need funds to invest in the summer transfer window after guiding the club to a 10th-place finish in the league.
Newcastle have seen far too many players refusing to move once it is clear they have no future but it is high time they clear the deadwood and invest on reshaping the squad to challenge further up the table next term.
Benitez had to work on a shoestring budget over the last two seasons and unsurprisingly, he has exceeded expectations. However, with competition becoming even stiffer in the Premier League, the Magpies need to make some top quality signings in order to sustain in the top-flight. But first, they need to move on some big-earners but less productive players from the squad.
Here are three players Newcastle must offload in summer.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Fulham have been sensational in 2018 and a large part of their success is down to striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has starred since his loan move from Newcastle United on deadline day in January.
Mitrovic is a complete outcast at Newcastle having failed to convince Rafael Benitez but he has ran riot at Fulham, scoring 12 goals in 19 games. He has been one of the major reasons why the Cottagers are playing Aston Villa in the Championship playoff final.
The Serbian has been a fan favourite at Newcastle since joining the club from Anderlecht a few years ago. Hence, the hot-headed striker’s departure from Newcastle is sure to be a controversial one.
Mitrovic is on a contract worth £60,000-a-week and since he isn’t in Benitez’s plans, the Magpies must offload him in a bid to reduce their wage bill.
Joselu
High hopes were pinned on Joselu when Newcastle signed him from Stoke last summer. However, the tall Spaniard has failed to live up to the billing, scoring just four times this season.
Joselu’s arrival from Stoke was one of the most disappointing transfers of the season and that will not go well with the fans.
The former Real Madrid man has hardly contributed this season and in 2018, was rightfully dropped by Benitez. The Spanish gaffer preferred Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez as the front pair and the duo performed very well.
This just indicates it is good time to offload Joselu after just one season at Tyneside.
Chancel Mbemba
Chancel Mbemba has found game time hard to come by this season at Newcastle and Benitez is reportedly looking to sell him, with Scottish champions Celtic interested.
In the last two seasons, the Congolese defender has made a grand total of 19 league starts and he has not played since January’s FA Cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Just like Mitrovic, selling Mbemba would surely raise a lot of eyebrows given the 23-year-old is a firm fan favourite amongst the fans but he has not played a lot this season and is on £30,000-a-week.
Well, this could be the right time for Newcastle to recoup some money after Mbemba’s £8m move from Anderlecht in 2015.