Newcastle can forget Gibbs-White by releasing a “creative” FFP solution

Newcastle United traveled all the way to Australia to face Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in a post-season friendly on Tuesday, just days away from the 2023/24 campaign.

Eddie Howe's were able to draw 1-1 with Ange Postecoglou's outfit, eventually winning the game on penalties, in a meeting that included different young talents.

Alex Murphy and Garang Kuol were just two of the Magpies youngsters present during the meeting, allowing the manager to take a closer look at his talents before making any decisions about their futures.

The latter has endured a treacherous loan spell away from St James' Park this season, managing just one goal in 15 appearances for Eredides side FC Volendam, who have returned to the second tier after two years in the Dutch top flight. – fly.

However, another young talent was given a chance underneath, with his performance certainly giving Howe food for thought for his future during the 2024/25 campaign.

Joe White's statistics against Tottenham Hotspur

After his loan spell at Crewe Alexandra for the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, midfielder Joe White was called up in January to provide depth to the squad following the club's poor injury record.

He made four short appearances for the Magpies before being given the chance to play 45 minutes in the second half against Spurs yesterday.

The 21-year-old replaced Brazilian midfielder Joelinton at half-time, with the first-team international still building up his fitness levels following his return from a long-term thigh problem.

White grabbed the opportunity with both hands, completing 100% of the 14 passes he attempted in the meeting – finishing the game with the best passing rate of any player who played at least 45 minutes.

The young player also played well coming out of the Magpies game, winning three balls and making two interceptions during the draw in Australia.

He also won three of his five duels, showing his qualities at both ends of the pitch for Howe's side – earning a match rating of 6/10 from Dominic Scurr of the Shields Gazette.

Although it was only a friendly, it was an excellent display of Newcastle's talent, and his performances allowed the club to avoid splashing the cash on one midfielder during the summer window.

Why Joe White should be released on 24/25

While it would be a drastic jump from League Two to the Premier League, White's outings against top-flight opposition are proof that he can thrive when called upon.

Newcastle announced they lost more than £70m in the last financial year, with any signings likely to be on the way out before being completed.

Howe's side have previously been linked with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, but with his excellent campaign – in which he provided 15 league goals and assists – the playmaker would not be surprising if he could cost the Magpies in excess of £50m. summer.

It wouldn't be unheard of for the club to stick around and trust young players as shown with Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson in the 2023/24 season, with “creativity” White, as explained by Howe himself, is likely to be the next in the transfer belt of young players who can cement their place in the first team – thus removing the need to splash the cash on players like Gibbs-White.

The club still have a number of friendlies on their latest post-season tour, with Howe desperately needing another look at the youngster to assess his chances of playing under him at St James' next season.