EUROPEY SUMMER

Toon at a crossroads as vultures circle for stars

- SIMON BIRD

NEWCASTLE suffered a major blow when Manchester United won the FA Cup - as it denied them European football next season.

It is the first setback since the Saudis took over 31 months ago.

Dropping out of Europe, after being in the Champions League, causes a £40m drop in income at least, and raises a number of issues:

Could Newcastle lose their best players? The biggest risk of the summer.

Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes are title-winning, Champions Leagueelite. A good transfer window would be to hang on to both, no matter who else is signed.

Arsenal love Isak, who bagged 25 goals this season. Newcastle are talking £200m to put off buyers.