Newcastle must sell Toon flop who Rafa thought had “fantastic potential”

Newcastle United are being frustrated by a lack of synergy that is hampering Eddie Howe’s side. There’s no bite in the Magpies’ attack and little inspiration in the build-up anyway.

New heights have been reached in the Premier League across recent years, but the Champions League qualification of 2022/23 looks a long distance away, even if a squad of talented parts has been fashioned.

It’s clear that moves need to be made in the transfer market, but, moreover, Howe must ensure that the remaining bits of flotsam are shipped off.

The St. James’ Park deadweight

Newcastle haven’t quite stagnated but it’s patent that without investment, those at the top of the English ladder will not be surpassed.

For example, the Magpies reportedly have a vested interest in Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, who is dangerous centrally and out wide but will perhaps need to offload Miguel Almiron, as they are allegedly prepared to do, to facilitate such an ambitious winter venture.

Kieran Trippier, aged 34, is also available for transfer this January, with the right-back’s reduced role not matching up with his hefty £120k-per-week contract.

There are further fringe players who need selling, but Isaac Hayden should be right at the top of that list, for he is out on the margins with little chance of returning to first-team action.

Howe must surely sell Isaac HaydenLast season, Hayden sat in the shadows for Newcastle before moving to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship in January 2024 in a short-term loan deal, starting 12 matches.

While the English midfielder featured prominently throughout the opening terms of his Toon career, his influence quickly petered out and he has since been a non-entity, with pundit Noel Whelan saying in 2022 that Hayden, Dwight Gayle and Ciaran Clark had “served their purpose” at St. James’ Park.