Newcastle release EIGHT players including Longstaff and offer shock contract to forgotten man
NEWCASTLE have announced eight players have been released including Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff.
Matty Ritchie has been kept on as Toon announced their retained list.
Newcastle triggered an option in Ritchie’s contract to extend his stay for another year, despite the winger making just ten appearances this season.
Mark Gillespie and Dan Burn have also had their deals extended, with the latter activating a clause based on the number of appearances he has made.
The Magpies have also made offers to Paul Dummett and Loris Karius, both of whom are out of contract at the end of the month.
Meanwhile academy players Harry Barclay, Niall Brookwell, Dan Langley, Joe Oliver, Josh Stewart and Isaac Westendorf have all been released.
The club activated options to extend the stays of Amadou Diallo and Michael Ndiweni while contract offers have been made to Will Brown, Nathan Carlyon, Kyle Crossley, James Huntley, Jamie Miley and Josh Scott.
Newcastle also confirmed Chris Wood will complete a permanent move to Nottingham Forest after initially joining on loan in January.
A short statement was released thanking those who have departed. It reads: “Newcastle United thanks all of the players leaving St. James’ Park for their efforts and wishes them every success for the future.”
Newcastle have been linked with a host of signings this summer including relegated Leicester pair James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
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Maddison has been on Toon’s radar for several months but it could cost £40million to lure him away from the Foxes.
Juventus star Federico Chiesa could also make a £30m switch to St James’ Park, though he is wanted by Liverpool.