Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has predicted a mass squad overhaul at Newcastle United in the upcoming summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: A new era awaits at Newcastle

Following the completion of the protracted takeover in 2021, newly-appointed Toon manager Eddie Howe was able to sign Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett and Chris Wood during the January transfer window.

Those arrivals meant that previously regular first-teamers Jamal Lewis, Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden were all left out of the Premier League squad for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign.

Since then, the Magpies have moved clear of the threat of relegation and can already begin planning for life in the top flight next term, as Howe himself predicted that 'difficult decisions' regarding the squad lie ahead.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/" title="Newcastle news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

Those plans could well include a mass exodus, according to one onlooker...

The latest: Campbell predicts multiple departures

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell - who works for talkSPORT as a pundit - has suggested that Howe will oversee plenty of changes to his Newcastle squad this summer.

The 52-year-old former Arsenal striker explained: “They have got to clear the decks. They might have to play some players off. That is the other thing that has to be considered.

“We saw Arsenal do it in order to create room in their squad for new signings. Players are on such good contracts now. Clubs have to pay players off in some cases.

“Newcastle will have a plan of what they want to do. I’m sure they have a deep budget. Adding quality to that squad is the order of the day. I don’t think it matters what department. They will be big, big movers and shakers this summer.”

The verdict: Exciting times

Following on from the euphoria of the eagerly anticipated takeover, the Newcastle faithful will have been delighted with the upturn in fortunes under Howe.

However, the recent defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester City have served as a reality check as to just how far away the Magpies are from challenging in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Similar smart recruitment akin to what was an impressive January window would suffice for the Toon, whilst the likes of Lewis, Clark and Hayden in particular could be fearing for their futures at St James' Park as the new-look hierarchy make their intentions known.

Beyond that outcast trio, the likes of lesser-seen players such as Federico Fernandez, Paul Dummett, Jeff Hendrick and Dwight Gayle (just 22 combined Newcastle appearances this season) might all be fearing for their roles in Howe's plans, should Campbell be on the money with his prediction.

In other news, talkSPORT man admits 'concern' over Newcastle star