Rafa Benitez to trim his Newcastle United squad ahead of more summer arrivals
The club has signed EIGHT players so far this summer – and Rafa Benitez is hopeful of more arrivals.
And Everton’s Brendan Galloway could join ahead of Saturday’s home game against Huddersfield Town.
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Hide AdUnited manager Benitez does not need to sell to buy, but he is keen to work with a more manageable squad.
A number of fringe players could leave on loan or on permanent deals this month as Benitez looks to focus on the core group of players he feels can make a contribution in the Championship.
Forward Siem de Jong has been linked a reunion with his brother Luuk at PSV Eindhoven.
A loan with a view to buy has been mooted in Holland given de Jong’s injury record over the past two years.
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Hide AdDefender Kevin Mbabu could also be loaned out for first-team experience.
Mbabu – who signed a new two-year deal at St James’s Park in May – travelled with Benitez’s first-team squad to Ireland for the club’s pre-season training camp.
But the 21-year-old was forced to return to Tyneside early with a knock and went on to play for the Under-23s in their warm-up games after returning to fitenss.
Fit-again striker Emmanuel Riviere is not in Benitez’s plans, while forward Yoan Gouffran also faces an uncertain future at the club.
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Hide AdSammy Ameobi, another of Benitez’s forwards, made his first appearance of the campaign in the Under-23s’ 3-2 friendly win over Barnsley on Monday.
Ameobi, 24, spent last season on loan at Cardiff City and his future looks to lie away from St James’s Park.
The highest-profile departure, however, is likely to be Real Madrid target Moussa Sissoko, though the club has not yet received a bid for the £35million-rated midfielder.