Eddie Howe now confirms Newcastle United want to replace player, ‘we are looking’

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Newcastle United are doing their very best to sign a new striker this summer, but it’s not the only position that needs attention.

Indeed, the Newcastle United squad boasts some serious talent but there’s a worrying lack of depth available to Eddie Howe.

The Newcastle United manager made history last season but the 2025/26 campaign will bring an added complication. The Champions League is back on offer at St James’ Park next season, placing yet more strain on an already light squad.

Newcastle’s midfield was perhaps their key strength last season. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton form a brilliant three and it would be difficult for anyone to dislodge them from Howe’s starting lineup.

Still, the options behind them don’t fully convince. Elliot Anderson and Sean Longstaff have left in consecutive summers and have so far not been replaced.

Lewis Miley is highly-rated at Newcastle but struggled with injury last season and is still in development. Joe Willock, meanwhile, has struggled for form and fitness over the past few seasons.

As such, Howe has confirmed the club are in the market for a new midfielder.

• Who is Eddie Howe? The heroic manager who finally brought a trophy back to Newcastle United

Newcastle United want to sign a new midfielder

Newcastle were not expected to replace Longstaff this summer, which feels like a bad idea.

They usually play with three central midfielders and they have only four available for the start of the Premier League season, with Willock suffering an injury during pre-season.

Though Willock isn’t seriously injured, it’s still not an ideal situation to be in.

Speaking to The Chronicle, Howe confirmed that Newcastle wanted “six” central midfielders and they were “looking” to make a signing in that position, which would mean Longstaff actually is replaced.

“We want six – and now we are down to four,” he said.

“So that is an issue for us and it is a position that we are looking at.

“We don’t think Joe Willock’s injury is serious. I gave it prognosis four to six weeks, that could be less. But I think it is an area we are looking at.”

The midfielder Newcastle United could sign to replace Sean Longstaff

Newcastle have been linked with Coventry’s Jack Rudoni, although they are yet to make a move.

Rudoni generally plays a little further forward than Longstaff, so it wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement.

Internally, Travis Hernes could be handed more of a role in the squad next season after spending part of last season on loan at Danish outfit Aalborg.

Newcastle do desperately need depth in midfield. If they don’t have it, trouble is ahead.