Newcastle United chiefs had to make some big transfer decisions over the last few weeks, with two players sold without any incoming deals. The hope is that the club is in a strong position to invest in the summer window without encroaching on PSR or FFP rules, but Eddie Howe will have to manage without Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly following their exits.

On the pitch, the aims are clear for the rest of the season. United have a huge Carabao Cup final coming up in March, and an FA Cup fifth-round match to look forward. Both are crucial if they are to retain hopes of lifting silverware in 2025.

Qualifying for the Champions League remains a big priority too, with fifth place looking likely to be enough for a spot at Europe's top table next season. European football is a key part of their future plans, especially when it comes to enticing players to move to Tyneside, but the Champions League remains the golden ticket.

Off the pitch, there plenty of big decisions to be made in the coming months. The closing of the transfer window means one less immediate consideration - for now at least - but there remains some pressing issues which must be decided in the coming weeks and months.

Five contract decisions

There are eight players whose contracts are up at the end of the current season - five of which have a big role to play in the first-team squad. Back-up goalkeepers John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie see their deals expire, while Jamal Lewis' time at Newcastle is likely to come to an end soon.

However, that leaves Callum Wilson, Martin Dubravka, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles with new deals to sort - or otherwise. Wilson's quality is clear, but the No 9 has suffered terrible luck with injuries throughout his time on Tyneside, and particularly in the last two season. United need someone they can rely on to provide back-up for Alexander Isak, but finding a replacement of Wilson's quality may be tough, even with the striker turning 33 later this month.

Newcastle have been strongly linked with moves for a new centre-back, which raises questions over Schar, Lascelles and Krafth's future. Howe will not want to lose all three - if any - but with Sven Botman likely to regain his place at some stage, any new addition would push the trio further down the pecking order. Krafth has the advantage of being able to play in several positions, while Schar has been superb in recent seasons.

Similarly with Dubravka, United held off bids from Saudi Arabia last month, with the keeper at one stage looking destined to leave. He has kept his place ahead of Nick Pope now the England keeper is fit again, but any new signing would make first-team football even harder to find.

New stadium or St James' Park expansion

It's the big talking point when it comes to off-the-field matters and one for which we should soon have an answer. Newcastle simply have to get this one right, but there are so many conflicting opinions that there is bound to be controversy no matter what the outcome. Talk of a new £1.2bn stadium has grown this week, while there are several options to expand St James'. An announcement is expected by spring - and it's going to be huge.

READ MORE: Stunning new St James' Park images emerge as PiF's Newcastle United £1bn plans imagined by AI

Alexander Isak's contract

Nothing will send a message out to interested parties quite as loudly as the Swede signing a new contract with United. Of course it doesn't mean offers won't come in, but it would be a clear indication from both club and player over future intentions. Isak is one of the most in-form players in Europe and there will be transfer speculation again in the summer. A new contract will go a long way to cutting those conversations short.

Does a big-name player need to be sold?

It's a question no one really wants to address, but if Newcastle want to quickly build their squad, then they may have to sell one of the star players for a significant fee. So far, they have looked to largely keep the squad intact, opting not to spend in order to avoid PSR issues and - hopefully - paving the way for summer investment.

However, what United could spend would hugely change should they accept a significant bid for one of their star performers. No one wants to see it happen, but it needs to be a consideration, and a firm decision must be taken at the very top.

Training ground development

As with St James', the club's PiF owners are considering a huge investment in new training ground facilities. A lot of work has already gone into the current Benton base, but several prospective sites have been looked for a potential new centre. While their hands may be somewhat tied when it comes to transfers, this is one area where the owners can invest freely.

READ MORE: Newcastle United's stunning new training ground imagined by AI concept designs

Season ticket prices

It's always a bone of contention with fans, but Newcastle have largely kept their ticket prices affordable, particularly compared with many of their Premier League rivals. There is always pressure from fan groups to reduce prices across football, with UK tickets often considerably move expensive than in Europe. This one is tied in with stadium development, of course, as United need to increase revenue streams - more seats could mean more corporate or premium tickets for sale, while not pricing fans out of attending matches.

Summer transfer budget

It's not easy to put an exact figure over what Newcastle will be able to spend in the summer, without breaking PSR regulations. There are too many moving parts to be able to say definitively what any maximum spend would be, and the club wouldn't want their rivals knowing their budgets in any case. However, it is vital that the hierarchy have a clear picture on the parameters in order to avoid the 'panic' of last June, when Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh were sold.

Darren Eales replacement

Unfortunately, United will have to find a new CEO after Darren Eales revealed last year that he would have to step down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer. Eales has continued to fulfil the role, but the club know that a decision will soon need to be taken on who will take over the position when he steps away to concentrate on treatment and his recovery. We wish him well.

Four big transfer calls

Even if, as expected, United are able to spend in the summer, it's unlikely that they will bring in a huge number of players. Quality over quantity will be the strategy, and that will be mean prioritising positions to strengthen. Four roles have stood out in recent windows and are set to dominate again - goalkeeper, centre-back, right wing and striker.

They have been linked with a new goalkeeper for several windows now, with Burnley's James Trafford a player the scouting network have watched closely.

There is also the need to identify a striker who can play as a back-up, or alongside, Alexander Isak, particularly if Callum Wilson moves on. Newcastle have high hopes for Will Osula, but a player who can compete at first-team level could be a big target in the coming months.

In defence, last summer's pursuit of Marc Guehi could resurface with the Crystal Palace defender expected to move on next summer. Spurs and Chelsea remain interested, but United's hat is likely to be in the ring. Several other central defensive players have been linked with Newcastle, with Howe looking for a long-term partner for Sven Botman.

Jacob Murphy's form has changed the conversation somewhat when it comes to the right-side of the forward line, but United remain keen on the likes Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Tyler Dibling. They won't come cheap, however.