Exclusive: Graeme Bailey suggests two key Newcastle players could leave if the club finishes in mid-table

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Newcastle United will be at risk of losing their best players if they miss out on Europe this season.

That is the view of HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey, who has spoke to Geordie Boot Boys about the futures of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak.

They are without a doubt the two best players who Newcastle United have right now. Bruno is the team’s talisman and has been called world class by Eddie Howe. As for Isak, he is probably the second best striker in the Premier League behind Erling Haaland, and is Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.

They are both top class players, and they deserve to be playing in top class competitions. They are Champions League calibre, but it does not look like they will be playing in that competition next season.

That is because Newcastle are currently struggling in the Premier League, sitting in 10th with 10 games to go. If they do finish as low as 10th, they would miss out on Europe completely. As it stands, eighth might be good enough to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

That has to be the bare minimum for Newcastle, otherwise Bruno and Isak might not ‘hang around’ according to Bailey.

Newcastle could lose Bruno and Isak if they miss out on Europe

“If you finish this low down, the squad aren’t going to be happy,” he said.

“You’ve got Bruno and Isak, who are two of the best players in Europe. Isak’s one of the best forwards in Europe, Bruno’s one of the best midfielders – I’ve no doubt in saying that.

“Finishing below eighth for them, why would they hang around? It’s their careers. They were sold the dream. When Bruno and Isak were being sold this dream, they weren’t being sold ‘come play for Eddie Howe and although we’ll finish mid-table it’ll be a great laugh’. That’s not what they signed for. They signed for Champions League football year in year out. They signed to push the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

“And that’s what PIF want too, and they are considering Eddie Howe’s position. Is he the man to challenge the Premier League’s elite? That’s something only they can answer.”

READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots

Hopefully Newcastle keep their two top stars

Fingers crossed Newcastle are able to finish in the top eight and qualify for Europe. That will hopefully convince the likes of Bruno and Isak to stay.

But there are fears surrounding Bruno, due to his £100million release clause. That does make us vulnerable, although a departure for that much money would at least boost our profit and sustainability situation.

As for Isak, he would also cost a huge amount of money if he were to leave, and has been tentatively linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal.