Newcastle notebook: High profile free transfer 'offered' to Magpies and Alex Murphy plan

Newcastle United's summer transfer business will officially start on June 14 after the Premier League confirmed the opening of the 2024 summer transfer window. The Magpies are already in discussions with agents on possible free transfer deals with AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly and Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo of interest to Newcastle. But in terms of cash business, business is about a month away.

The summer trading period will also finish a couple of days earlier than usual with Friday 30 August, 11pm set to be deadline day this year. The dates for the winter window at the start of 2025 are as follows: Wednesday 1 January - Monday 3 February, 11pm.

A top-flight spokesman said: "To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their Summer and Winter windows on 30 August and 3 February respectively."

READ MORE: Everything Howe said on Isak, Wilson, injuries and Man United at Newcastle United press conference

READ MORE: Newcastle transfer state of play: Tosin deal claim, Kelly on list & early exits

Newcastle to be offered another chance to sign Ross Barkley

The 30-year-old former Everton star has impressed back in the Premier League with Luton Town this season with five goals and four assists in the top-flight.

Barkley also put in two excellent displays against the Magpies as the doomed Hatters took four points from six against United, with the ex-Nice man scoring one and making one in the 4-4 draw at St James' Park. But with relegation on the cards for plucky Luton and Barkley's contract up he looks set to leave the Bedfordshire club.

At 30 he still has something to offer and will be another high profile free transfer for Premier League clubs. Barkley's stint out of the top-flight seemed to be put off a lot of potential suitors last summer but he has proven he can still do the business with even talk of an England recall at one point.

His old club Everton and Newcastle have already been touted as frontrunners for his signature and Barkley is on the same agency as Eddie Howe and a clutch of Toon stars.

Eddie Howe reveals plan for Alex Murphy after youngster signs new deal

Howe was delighted to see Republic of Ireland youngster Alex Murphy sign a new contract this week in a season in which he has come on leaps and bounds. Murphy made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in the 4-1 win last year.

After giving both Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley an opportunity, Howe is also keen to keep Murphy around for now.

He said: "My plans for him are that he continues to push and train well, and push the players that are in the team. I'm really pleased with his progress this year, I think with his training time with us, he's really improved.

"He can play left-back or centre-half, he's athletic and very composed on the ball, a really good footballer.

"There will come a time for Alex where we'll need to expose him to the team or maybe a loan spell but that's further on in the future. For now, his focus should be to try and get into the team."