Newcastle United have been gifted the opportunity to overcome their struggles with UEFA’s squad registration rules ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
The Magpies were stuck with a similar problem during their last appearances in the Champions League, and it cost them squad places.
Now, entering the 2025/26 campaign, Newcastle United can only look to Sean Longstaff to fit their ‘club-trained’ bill, leaving them with at least three fewer spots to add players.
That news comes even worse after reports that Newcastle could sell Longstaff this summer. The midfielder is out of favour with Eddie Howe and could be moved on to play more consistent first-team football elsewhere.
Leeds United are interested in Longstaff, but no formal approach has been made for the 27-year-old yet. While nothing is concrete, Leeds are confident that they can sign Longstaff and give Newcastle a major headache ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.
While Howe and his recruitment team are left scratching their heads over who to sign, the Magpies have been gifted a golden opportunity to sign someone who fits their club-trained quota perfectly.
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Former Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett released by Carlisle
Although he was not one of Howe’s most important players, there was an element of sadness when it was announced that Paul Dummett was leaving Newcastle.
Having signed for the club in 2000, Dummett spent 24 years with the Magpies before his contract finally came to an end last year. The Wales international made a staggering 196 League appearances for the club and was a big help during the 2016/17 Championship season under Rafa Benitez.
However, things have not been easy for the 33-year-old since his release. Dummett signed for Wigan in November 2024 but made just five appearances in all competitions before he was released during the January transfer window.
Dummett then signed for Mike Williamson’s Carlisle United on a short-term deal, but he picked up an injury just five minutes into his debut, which kept him out until April.
Now, it has been confirmed on Carlisle’s website that Dummett has been released following their relegation to the National League, thus opening the door for Newcastle to sign him.
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Newcastle United have other club-trained players that they can sign
While Dummett is a genuine option for Newcastle, it seems unlikely that he will join given the level he has recently played.
Instead, Newcastle could look to add more club-trained players by signing goalkeepers who came through Newcastle’s academy.
Tim Krul is an option for Newcastle. The Magpies flirted with the idea of bringing him back to the club near the end of the 2023/24 campaign when European football still looked a possibility, but they dropped any plans after Manchester United won the FA Cup.
Additionally, Newcastle have looked at signing Fraser Forster after it was confirmed he will leave Tottenham at the end of his contract this month. Forster has previously expressed his desire to play for Newcastle again and has a great chance to do so if Howe sees him as the right fit.
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