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A number of Newcastle United’s key players have been linked with major moves away from St James’ Park this summer, including the likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nBruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have been linked with moves this summer(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Danny Simpson believes that Newcastle United qualifying for European football for 2026\/27 could be make or break in retaining a number of their most valuable players this summer. The Magpies were handed a major blow in their surge for automatic Champions League qualification on Wednesday evening and now must rely on a strong finish to the season to secure a spot in UEFA Club Competitions next term.<\/p>\n
Despite holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park in the first leg of their last 16 tie last week, the Camp Nou proved a far different beast to tame. By the time the full time whistle rolled around, the Magpies had fallen to a humbling 7-2 loss, crashing out of the competition 8-3 on aggregate.<\/p>\n
Given Newcastle would have automatically qualified for the UCL next season should they have gone all the way in this year’s instalment – despite how long of a shot that may have been – it represents a bitter blow in the club’s chances of securing any form of European competition next season.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Chelsea and Newcastle told they should be ‘banned from Champions League’ in dramatic rant<\/span><\/span>READ MORE: Man Utd’s dream XI next season with ‘advanced talks’ underway for Premier League star<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAnd according to former Tyneside talent Simpson, a failure to compete outside of England could be the difference in keeping and losing key talent for the fresh campaign. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football<\/strong> via Gambling.com, who review all slot sites in the UK, the 39-year-old said: “I watched (Sandro) Tonali – he’s another one I watched that I was so impressed with.<\/p>\n“I think I tweeted how good I thought he was, watching him live at Man Utd last week. Didn’t realise how big he was, to be honest, and didn’t realise how well he moved with the ball, off the ball powerful. I think any of them top clubs are looking at him in that centre.<\/p>\n
“City need one, Man Utd need one. Chelsea obviously can\u2019t buy players. I think he’s one definitely people are looking at. (Tino) Livramento, again with him, playing left-back, right-back. Yes, okay, he’s had injuries this season, so we’ll see how he finishes this season.<\/p>\n
“The other one for me is Lewis Hall. You got him for \u00a330million, which I think at the time raised a few eyebrows, but the way he’s developed and looks like for the next 10 years could be a top, top, top left-back in the Premier League and for England.<\/p>\n
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> <\/strong>Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “You’ve got some really good players. I think the other thing is, the other clubs know the financial situation Newcastle are in. Wanting to progress and get more… it’s going to be an issue. It’s going to be tough to hold on to them, but it depends how they finish the season.<\/p>\n
“Can you still get European football? If you don’t, that’s obviously when players will say to Eddie (Howe) and the club, ‘I want to play in these big nights that we’ve just played in, Barcelona, etc.’ It’ll be very tough, but I think it depends on where they finish in the league this season if they can get European football.”<\/p>\n
It comes as Tonali has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City as of recent, despite remaining under contract with Newcastle until 2028. The Italian’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, recently also fuelled further speculation on his future earlier this month by suggesting the Magpies are a stepping stone to a bigger club.<\/p>\n
Livramento, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to the Gunners this summer following increasingly promising displays for both club and country, while captain Bruno Guimaraes this week emerged as Manchester United’s number one target to replace Casemiro when he leaves Old Trafford in a matter of months.<\/p>\n
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\nDanny Simpson has spoken about Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
It is claimed by Reuters that the Red Devils are in ‘advanced talks’ with Guimaraes’ camp, and that both parties favour the move. Speculation only adds to the mounting pressure of achieving a late Premier League surge on Newcastle’s part to finish within the top five this season.<\/p>\n
At the time of writing, the Magpies sit ninth in the league table, seven points behind a fifth-place Liverpool and trailing a fourth-place Aston Villa by nine. With the upcoming Tyne-Wear Derby landing on Sunday, March 22, and with clashes against the likes of Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Brighton and Fulham in their last eight to go, the task may be a touch too big for the Magpies.<\/p>\n
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