'Any player under contract is going to leave on our terms'

[Getty Images] Newcastle United still have seven games to play this season as they bid to make a late push for a European spot. The club are planning for both eventualities in the transfer market, whether they qualify or miss out. Eddie Howe has been involved in planning for these scenarios alongside sporting director Ross Wilson, with another busy summer on the cards.

Newcastle need to strengthen the ageing spine of the side while there are also doubts surrounding the long-term futures of a number of key players, including midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Italian effectively has four years left on his contract - if Newcastle trigger a 12-month extension, as expected - which puts the club in a strong position. But it was just last summer that Newcastle - eventually - buckled and sold top scorer Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British-record £125m after he went "on strike" to force through a move to Anfield.

David Hopkinson was appointed as chief executive a few weeks after Isak's exit and felt it was a "good sale" - even if Newcastle have struggled to adapt to life without the striker after spending a combined £124m on forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. Strategic player trading is clearly going to become a key part of Newcastle's model moving forward, but Hopkinson warned any individuals seeking a move will not simply get their way. "If an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms," said Hopkinson.

"We're going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club. " Read more from our interview with Newcastle's CEO, including on Howe's future