𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

What is going on at St James’ Park? Will Newcastle United ever make another signing without being gazumped? Will they have any good players left by the start of the season?

We have pulled together some of the best bits from The Athletic’s live Q&A for Newcastle subscribers on Monday afternoon featuring writers Chris Waugh and George Caulkin. Some of the questions and responses have been edited for brevity.

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I know there is an element of panic that deals haven’t made it across the finish line, but isn’t there a level of confidence within the club that the players we already have will improve? – Kevin D

Waugh: Although missing out on Victor Munoz was a significant setback and the same would be true of Johan Manzambi, Newcastle claim they have alternatives and a plan they believe in.

On Manzambi, Aston Villa are pushing hard to sign the Switzerland international but, while Newcastle are looking at other midfielders in case they cannot bring in their first choice, not everyone inside the club has entirely ruled out resurrecting the deal (others seem more resigned). There have been doubts throughout the pursuit about Manzambi’s desire to join, given he had never outright committed to the transfer while suggesting he would be open to the move, and evidently he has at least been tempted by the promise of Champions League football at Villa Park.

With the ongoing uncertainty over Bruno Guimaraes and given that Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, two of Newcastle’s best players, have already left, I entirely understand why many fans are concerned about where the team is at and the strength of the squad going into pre-season. Eddie Howe will harbour worries over that, too, given he will be expected to mould together a successful team.

Yet it is not all doom and gloom. Lewis Miley has signed a long-term contract, almost £170m has been generated from player sales (much of which will be reinvested), and Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga will have the opportunity to better understand Howe’s methods during pre-season. The core of Newcastle’s squad is still good.

However, that is not to gloss over the fact that significant reinforcements are still required in the market. The three players Newcastle have signed so far are promising and have huge room for growth, but are any ready to start the first game against Liverpool? That is questionable, meaning Howe’s first XI has actually been weakened so far, rather than strengthened.

Positive progress in the market, be that by somehow getting the Manzambi deal done or bringing in an alternative midfielder, would provide a much-needed boost for everyone, inside and outside of the club

With so much change, players wanting to leave and players not wanting to come to us for varying reasons, who can we be linked to and think, ‘Yeah, I see that happening’? – Michael K

Caulkin: A year ago, Newcastle went for established, largely Premier League-ready players and were blown away. After Alexander Isak left, they panicked. The plan this time – and it is a plan – is to identify younger, hungry players who will be on the radar of most clubs but to get to them first. This is what they did with people like Guimaraes, Sven Botman and others in the early days post-takeover.

However, they are not alone in this market; all clubs want to outsmart their rivals and find value. To my mind, they need to make a couple of really good signings to prove that Tyneside is still a desirable destination for footballers, that they can improve and be ambitious there. I don’t think that’s beyond them.

Are the hierarchy happy with the current crop of strikers? Has Osula cemented a starting spot after his run of form towards the end of the season? – Dan C

Waugh: As things stand, Newcastle are not actively pursuing another out-and-out striker. Howe only tends to play with one, even if Nick Woltemade may be deployed as a No 10 (should the 4-2-3-1 system be persisted with, though I have my doubts that it will be), and Newcastle already have three senior centre-forwards.

The club did explore whether there was a market for Yoane Wissa, but seemingly the financial hit required to move on the DR Congo international this summer did not make sense. There is also hope that, following a morale-boosting World Cup and with an actual full pre-season behind him, the former Brentford striker will display far more of his talents in 2026-27.

Woltemade, meanwhile, suffered a dispiriting World Cup and it remains to be seen where he fits into Howe’s plans. It has never felt like there is natural harmony between Woltemade and Howe’s style but, like with Wissa, Newcastle are unlikely to get their money back on the Germany international this summer.

Osula is very much in line to start the new campaign as the No 9. He earned his opportunity during the back end of last season and then grasped it. Now it is about the Denmark international proving he can perform consistently in the Premier League.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that later in the window there is movement inwards and outwards on the striker front, but Howe is planning as if those three will be his centre-forwards for the campaign.

If I understand correctly, Amanda Staveley is working again with the Reuben brothers for another fund to invest in football clubs. Are the Reubens eyeing an exit? – Kevin F

Caulkin: Staveley, Newcastle’s former part-owner, has been building a fund to buy into football and/or other sports. My understanding is that the Reuben family have some involvement but insist there would be no conflict with Newcastle. I don’t know the details of how the fund works or its structure and they haven’t taken a stake anywhere yet, but Jamie Reuben is adamant he remains fully committed to Newcastle.

Has the club made any progress in a full-back search? As it stands, we just have a starting left and (injury-prone) right-back – Jonathan H

Waugh: Signing at least one full-back is a priority and how many is more to do with the profile of full-back they sign and the resources available. Should a player who can adequately play on both sides be acquired, then that may lessen the need to sign multiple, while it also depends upon the potential availability of targets.

Newcastle have been considering some who play on the left, others on the right and some who can play on both sides. Free agents and more experienced players from Europe, down to those more closely aligned with the profile of signings so far this summer (under the age of 22), have been considered. Despite links to Neco Williams, Newcastle are not thought to be actively pursuing the 25-year-old, at least yet.

With Tino Livramento unlikely to feature for much of pre-season, then getting full-backs in quickly is paramount. However, Newcastle need to sign the right player, rather than just bring in a body for the short-term sake of it.

Do you think ‘hijacking’ is more prevalent with Newcastle than other clubs or are we just in our bubble as fans and feel it only happens to us? – Stuart B

Caulkin: What happened a year ago was remarkable. Newcastle targeted players like Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, James Trafford, Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and were beaten to all of them by legacy big-six clubs. That tactic was flawed and Newcastle proved they could not compete with those clubs, but clearly it did happen a lot. This summer is a bit different, I think, in terms of their approach. They put a lot of work into Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi but there are a finite number of really good young players who are capable of strengthening a Premier League team and getting in early doesn’t always work. Players and agents want to consider options, selling clubs want more money. Newcastle need to get a couple through the door, show they mean business and calm everything down.

What kind of impact do these snubs have on our reputation in the eyes of potential incoming players? – Matt D

Caulkin: It’s a good question and it’s not just the snubs, it’s also the impact of losing key players like Isak, Tonali, Gordon and Guimaraes, should that happen (please no). If you’re an established international and you’re looking at Newcastle, what do you see right now? It’s vital the club is seen as progressive and ambitious, that players want to be there, can get better and achieve things.

Who will captain Newcastle v Liverpool on the first day of the season? Who will be our designated penalty taker? – Chris C

Waugh: 1. Guimaraes. I don’t say that with total confidence, but I still think the Brazilian’s Newcastle tenure has a bit yet to run. 2. Osula.

Do you think we’ll ever see a new stadium being built under the current ownership? – Jonathan P

Waugh: Yes, I do think the stadium project will eventually proceed – and I think it will be a new-build, almost certainly somewhere on Leazes Park.

Both renovation and a new-build remain live options, yet the latter has long been the preferred option for many senior figures at the club and it would be a game-changer for revenue. Expanding and refurbishing St James’ Park would bring an uptick in matchday income, but a state-of-the-art stadium with greater capacity and larger, dedicated corporate areas would be transformative.

In an SCR (squad-cost rules) landscape, which are particularly restrictive at UEFA level, it feels essential.

Can you explain why so many leaks keep happening regarding transfers? We’ve gone from being silent assassins in the transfer market to scoops happening all over the place in the past couple of seasons – Felix S

Caulkin: If we take Munoz as an example, the leaks did not come from Newcastle, they emerged in the Spanish media. Newcastle have tried to keep their counsel on targets, but it’s very difficult when there are competing agendas; selling clubs who want to encourage a bidding war, agents and players who might want options. Yes, clubs are used. So are journalists sometimes.

You could argue that if you make a big enough bid and do it quickly and early, you get your player. Funnily enough, this is what Barcelona did with Anthony Gordon. They weren’t at the table, negotiations were progressing slowly with Bayern Munich and then suddenly, bang, Barcelona were there, they hit the price and it was done. Barcelona can do that, of course. So can Liverpool (with Munoz). For Newcastle, who need to make every pound count, it’s a bit different.

If you were a Bruno or a Lewis Hall, why would you want to stay? – Henry S

Waugh: Perhaps it is because I am a natural contrarian, but I genuinely think there are many reasons why they would want to stay. That is not me being blind to the actuality of Newcastle’s present situation, because clearly the team is weaker than it was even last season, but it is not all doom and gloom.

Hall is still only 21 and has significant room for development. He was excellent for much of last season but I still feel he has deficiencies in his game and that he can best work on them at Newcastle. With the loss of experienced players, he will be given the opportunity to take on a more senior position and could even prove himself to be captaincy material in the not-too-distant future. Hall may have missed out on this World Cup squad but he is guaranteed to start most matches at St James’ Park and, by 2028, could establish himself as first-choice England left-back.

With Guimaraes, given he turns 29 later this year, his want to win trophies and perhaps land a bigger salary is more pressing. But the grass is not always greener, as the cliche goes. Would Guimaraes be content with perhaps being a bit-part player at Arsenal? At Newcastle, he is the talisman and the central focus of everything. He is the big fish in the small(er) pond. I think trying to sell Guimaraes the vision of him leading Newcastle into a new era could be quite a captivating one. That may just be me, mind…

Can we expect any communication from the club? – Tom A

Caulkin: I’ve long since given up on hearing from PIF, but I do think it would be helpful if the day-to-day leadership could articulate what the plan is now, particularly after losing big players, and how the team and club can move forward when, financially, they’ve been hemmed in, too. Fans need something to buy into and a restating of identity and purpose is necessary. I am much more hopeful about this happening at some point relatively soon.

What’s really holding up an announcement on plans for a new training ground? – Sean T

Waugh: This would be a huge step and would provide at least some sort of confirmation to those supporters who doubt the ownership’s long-term commitment. Crucially, it would also reassure current players and prospective signings that the ‘project’ is moving forwards.

I’ve asked repeatedly over the past few months for an update on when an announcement will come, but still it has not been confirmed. The initial funds needed to acquire the site are/were being provided by ownership.

The Woolsington site is where the new training ground will be housed and my understanding is they hope to move there by the start of the 2029-30 season, should everything go to plan.

Do you get a sense of panic from the club regarding transfers and Bruno’s situation? Or do they have a clear plan in place? – Joe M

Caulkin: No panic, but there is uncertainty regarding Bruno. Gordon and Tonali were expected to leave so that became part of their planning. They could prepare for it. They have not prepared for Bruno’s departure and they don’t want it, but stuff happens in football and they have to respond. There has also been uncertainty about Arsenal’s motivations and how serious their pursuit was – for the first couple of days, there was no contact between the clubs. I think there has been now, but without resolution.

There’s sharp and understandable disappointment on targets who have gone elsewhere, but Newcastle have moved on. They have to. They’ve got a lot of work to do, though.

Will we sell Pope, Willock and Murphy this summer? – Stephen L

Waugh: Newcastle would listen to offers for all three players, but whether they are sold remains to be seen. It requires a buyer willing to pay what Newcastle want and, particularly in the case of Pope, a replacement to arrive first.

Manzambi would have been (may still be…) Willock’s replacement/upgrade and Newcastle are looking to acquire another midfielder. With Sean Steur already signed, Howe usually runs with six senior midfielders, meaning Willock would be made available. There has been no firm interest yet, though.

Newcastle have not received any offers for Pope either, though the 34-year-old will be given the option of departing should James Trafford or another new No 1 arrive.

With Murphy, Newcastle may have been receptive to offers pretty much since the takeover happened but substantive bids have never come in for him. Howe hopes that Bazoumana Toure will be able to play on the right, meaning Murphy may leave should an adequate offer arrive, though that may require another attacker to be brought in, given Newcastle’s wide resources would have been depleted.

A big picture view of NUFC affairs would suggest that it is an investment being tidied up for sale. What are the chances of PIF getting out? – Will B

Caulkin: PIF rarely, if ever, speak directly. Indirectly, they always say they’re fully committed, but I’m more cynical. Things like the training ground and stadium have been left to drift and could have been acted on years ago. They feel like passive owners to me, happy to put money in to keep the business running but leaving it to people on the ground to actually get things done. Under David Hopkinson, the chief executive, there is much more urgency now.

Any news of additions to the coaching team? We were crying out for new ideas last season – Aidan D

Caulkin: It’s something Howe and the club are open to and Martin Mark arrived as first-team set-piece coach this time a year ago. It’s a fact that (some) players get tired of hearing the same voice and stop responding and changing coaches is one way of tackling this. But so is changing players and this hasn’t happened enough in recent seasons. If there’s a big turnover in the dressing room, perhaps it becomes less important.