Newcastle United can keep hold of their star players - including Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak - this summer while looking to take advantage of other Premier League sides who may need to sell.

That's the hope of our Newcastle United editor Aaron Stokes who on this week's Monday Show via The Everything is Black and White Podcast, shared his insight and opinion on what may be to come in the summer transfer window.

Here is the transcript of the main points from the chatter on transfers.

Is there a risk Newcastle United will have to cash in on some of their top players?

Some fear United may be forced to sell one of their stars to free up some cash this summer to spend on new additions as the club tries to manoeuvre the choppy waters of financial fair play and the profit and sustainability rules.

"In an ideal world I would like Newcastle to be able to keep those sort of top bracket players - and when I say that, I mean sort of Bruno, Isak, Botman and Gordon. They would be nonnegotiable for me."

But surely there is a risk Bruno Guimaraes could be sold?

Bruno's future is probably the biggest worry. His rise to one of the best of midfielders in Europe has somewhat outstripped the progress of Newcastle United, and while he clearly loves the fans, city, and club, there is the small matter of his much-publicized transfer clause.

"Obviously, Newcastle sort of tied a little bit with release clauses," Stokes said, "you wouldn't be totally surprised if somebody did come in and try and sweep Bruno, for the fee that's obviously in his contract."

The hope will be that despite reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as continuous praise from Pep Guardiola at Man City, that United's hierarchy can persuade Bruno to stay on Tyneside. The confirmation of Joelinton's new four-year deal at United will surely help.

But where do United raise the funds from if they're keeping the likes of Bruno and Isak?

That is the million-pound question. Newcastle have not got many sellable assets, and this was reaffirmed back in January when there were no takers for anyone but Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron. Saint-Maximin headed to Saudi Arabia but Almiron rejected the chance although there is a feeling that opportunity may arise again in the summer.

Speaking on player sales, Stokes said: "I think you then drop down and look at players [to sell] who are still playing now but would you be too against it if they go?

"That brings you on to players like Miggy Almiron - and I ask the question of whether too many people say no to £20 million to £30 million for him."

If Newcastle United managed to raise funds, where would you like to them going?

Newcastle United will have to be clever with their funds this summer - and will once again have to deal with clubs applying so-called 'Saudi-tax' when it comes to the asking price of players. United's scouting staff will have their list and while some are holding out for big names, Stokes believes there is talent that could be snapped up from sides down the lower end of the league such as Matheus Cunha and Pedro Neto of Wolves.

Speaking about Cunha he said: "Yeah, he was absolutely brilliant in La Liga, and I think it's no surprise that Wolves have obviously spent a lot of money on him. He's come in to his own eventually in the Premier League and is a very good player but he would cost you a lot of money.

"Another couple of Wolves' players who would cost you a lot of money, but I'd equally take them is Pedro Neto, who isn't going to be short of suitors. Also Hwang is an absolutely fantastic player, and very versatile. If Wolves find themselves in any FFP trouble, I think Newcastle could maybe stick a few deals over the line. They're fantastic players and they've done very well under Gary O'Neill this season in some testing conditions."

But what do Newcastle United actually need to do in this summer's transfer window?

It's hard to know for sure given that so many players have been missing from action for large parts of this season. You can't help but wonder where United would be if Eddie Howe had a full squad to pick from. Stokes believes the return of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and others to the first team squad for next season means United do not have to add too many players to the side.

"Obviously this is all dependent on how much they can spend within the new rules which are coming in to replace PSR," he said. "But if Newcastle can keep the bulk of that main squad together, get rid of some of the dead wood, get some players off the books, free of some wages and space in the squad - they don't actually need a lot to really kick on.

"It feels like they do but when you welcome back Joelinton, Tonali Sven Botman, and all these players who have missed the majority of the season, then that squad on paper is good enough. They just need a couple of tweaks and a couple of places, but hopefully they can keep hold of the key players."

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