Newcastle United could well find the solution to one summer transfer issue in a player yet to feature at senior level.

Newcastle United are facing some big calls during the summer transfer window - and one of them is over a player is yet to even make a senior appearance for Eddie Howe’s side.

The Magpies are expected to make a number of decisions over the futures of several long-standing members of Eddie Howe’s squad as the likes of Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie approach the final month of their current deals. Backup goalkeeper Mark Gillespie is already believed to have been handed a one-year extension on his deal, as former Liverpool stopper Loris Karius prepares to leave St. James’ Park at the end of the season. There will also be decisions made over several players that have spent the vast majority, if not all of the current season away from St. James’ Park as the likes of Ryan Fraser and Garang Kuol return from loan spells.

Yet with Newcastle continuing to battle against the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, a big sale, or a series of sales can’t be ruled out. There has been speculation suggesting Sean Longstaff could join Leeds United in a £20m move that would represent pure profit on the balance sheet as the Geordie midfielder is a Magpies academy product. Callum Wilson reportedly has interest from home and abroad - although Howe’s most recent comments on the England striker gave more than a hint of determination to retain the services of a player he worked with during his time in charge of Bournemouth.

Several other Magpies players are the subject of interest from other clubs and it seems likely Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron will be handed another opportunity to bring an end to his time as a Magpie and move to the Saudi Pro League after reportedly rejecting such a move in January. The former Atlanta United star has divided opinion throughout his time on Tyneside and continues to do so. Although Almiron posted impressive figures and played a key role in helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League last season, there is a feeling the Magpies need more consistency and something just a little different from their wingers when they kick off the new season in August.

Should Almiron move to Saudi Arabia, any new addition will have to compete with the in-form Anthony Gordon, the big summer signing Harvey Barnes and Howe favourite Jacob Murphy for a place in the side. There is an argument to suggest Joelinton can be thrown into the mix as well given his versatility. But with Newcastle likely to focus their spending at the heart of the defence and a versatile forward, the Magpies could and perhaps should consider allowing one of their current players to step into the breach left behind by any possible Almiron exit.

Before the Magpies completed a £63m move for Sandro Tonali or the £35m deal that brought Barnes to Tyneside, their first signing of last summer went under the radar. Gambian international winger Yankuba Minteh penned a long-term deal at St. James’ Park after completing a £6.3m move from Danish side Odense and was immediately dispatched on a season-long loan to Dutch champions Feyenoord. Despite speculation suggesting the winger could have returned midway through the season as Eddie Howe dealt with a seemingly never-ending injury crisis, the youngster has remained at the De Kuip Stadium, with United loan manager Shola Ameobi and assistant Peter Ramage maintained a watching brief on his development.

Minteh, although still raw and inconsistent at times, has shown clear signs of progression by scoring ten goals and providing six assists in 35 appearances in all competitions. The 19-year-old has featured in the Champions League against the likes of Celtic and Atletico Madrid, in the Europa League against Roma and has impressed in high-profile domestic clashes with PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. There has been some debate as to whether Minteh will return to Feyenoord for a further season-long loan during the summer and the impending exit of manager Arne Slot to Liverpool is not expected to make any impact on their potential move.

Yet Newcastle must consider whether they should take a first-hand look at just how far Minteh has developed in the last 12 months and give Howe an opportunity to assess his merits for a place in next season’s squad. There are key questions to be asked over whether his development would be better enhanced with regular game-time elsewhere or whether Minteh would benefit from learning the Magpies manager’s methods with regular day-to-day involvement with his squad.

Newcastle have been criticised over their use of the loan system in recent years and it should be said that criticism is not without merit. But with Minteh, they have played it beautifully, and they could benefit from his time in Rotterdam sooner rather than later.