Newcastle have some big decisions to make on certain squad members heading into the summer
Aaron Ramsdale, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento start an inquest after Newcastle conceded against Fulham
Newcastle United have still got two big decisions to make on contract extensions ahead of the 2026/27 season.
After announcing that Kieran Trippier will not be getting a new deal, attention now turns to both Fabian Schar and Aaron Ramsdale who are both still sweating on their futures. Like Trippier, Sweden international Emil Krafth is also believed to have been told he can leave at the end of the season.
Krafth has not played since November and has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Swiss defender Schar is due to return to the squad for the trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday when Newcastle’s campaign gets back under way after a three-week pause due to the international break and the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
Schar wants to stay but no decision has been confirmed on his future given the 34-year-old has been recovering from an ankle injury. Schar last appeared in the enthralling 4-3 win over Leeds United at St James’ Park back in January.
The centre-back has made it clear he wants to play on for at least two more years and that he would like to end his career on Tyneside. Newcastle are currently putting together their plans for next season with sporting director Ross Wilson ready for his first summer window.
Newcastle backers PIF are keeping a close eye on the budget for 2026/27 as the club work within the new UEFA SCR rule book. It means that United must cut their cloth accordingly and PIF’s preference is to sign players with sell on value, hence the release of older stars like Trippier.
Schar said last year: “Yes, that would be great. Everything’s just right here, on and off the pitch. When I extended my contract, I could hardly imagine taking on a new challenge at another club. I’m a player who appreciates what I have.
“However, I’d like to play football for another two or three years and therefore am not thinking about retiring yet. I didn’t have to quit playing for the [Swiss] national team either, but it was the right time. Now I have to find that in club football too.”
It remains to be seen whether the powers that be share that vision with Schar after a mutual decision was made with Trippier to release him at the end of the season. As for goalkeeper Ramsdale, his loan deal ends in May when he is due to return to Southampton.
Ramsdale was keen to stay on at Newcastle but his future could depend on Eddie Howe staying. After comments from CEO David Hopkinson that discussions on what happens next at St James’ Park won’t take place until the end of the season, it could leave the England international waiting for a decision on whether his move to Newcastle is made permanent.
Speaking about Ramsdale, Howe said: “Yeah, with Aaron, we have signed a goalkeeper we know and have worked with before. But I think, when you compare Aaron now with the Aaron that signed for the club he’s done an incredible amount of work with the goalkeeper coaches.”
Back-up goalkeepers John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie will also see their current deals expire at the end of the season.
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