Newcastle United Set for Major Summer Exodus

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Newcastle United are readying for a major summer shake-up as interim manager Alan Shearer prepares to set-up shop on a permanent basis. In a conversation with club chiefs following the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool, Shearer was adamant that the only way he would even consider staying on as United's long-term manager is if the club agree to let him conduct a total reshuffle of the team, and backroom staff.

Shearer, who has already banned Joey Barton from the club indefinitely, is also ready to offload high-profile flops Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka, Geremi, Claudio Cacapa, and Jose Enrique. The 38-year-old former player also expects Michael Owen to leave on a free-transfer once the transfer window reopens.

Toon bosses have already told Shearer that he would be allotted somewhere in the region of £15 million to spend in the summer, with whatever he can gather from transferring the above players also going into the fund.

Inter Milan are said to be interested in Nigerian ace Obafemi Martins, while Geremi is expected to move to Greece. Mark Viduka could be set to return to his homeland with several Australian clubs interested in his services, and it has emerged that Jose Enrique prefers a move back to La Liga where he feels he is most suited.

Player sales are expected to generate as much as, a further £10 million, and Big Al is said to be targeting a host of players from Scotland, and the lower leagues in England to rebuild the club from the ground-up. 

The mass exodus does not end there, as Damien Duff, Alan Smith, and Shola Ameobi also face the axe at Tyneside. One player who the Magpies feel has done enough to win a contract is Danish forward Peter Lovenkrands. The 29-year-old is expecting a three-year contract, but insiders say it may only be a one-year extension.

Next season is also said to be Nicky Butt's final one in the Toon shirt, with Shearer set to offer him a role on the coaching staff. In that vein, coach Colin Calderwood, an appointment of Joe Kinnear is on his way out of St. James' Park at the end of the season, as part of Big Al's clearing scheme.

Mike Ashley has conceded defeat to Shearer in the power-struggle at the Toon, and United's higher-ups are now working day and night to accommodate the former Magpies striker who they expect to stay on beyond this season and restore order, and discipline at the club.

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