Latest news with #NewcastleUnited
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Newcastle United Has A Midfield Problem And Nobody Is Talking About It
This was the summer in which Newcastle United was supposed to set its own pace and control the narrative. The contrast between the club on and off the pitch is immense, and it has led to some major misconceptions around its prospects and general state at the moment. Supporters have been thrilled to recount last season as the greatest in history, and for good reason. Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy and then qualified for the Champions League, achievements that were expected to create a strong foundation in this transfer window. But the cold, hard truth is, the club was in no way prepared for that success from a structural standpoint; head coach Eddie Howe's work on the training pitch, coupled with recruitment of excellent players meant the team took the club to new heights. From the top, there is no reassuring noise or direction. The CEO, Darren Eales, has been serving his notice since September after stepping down on health grounds; Sporting Director Paul Mitchell left on the eve of the summer with little warning. Neither have been replaced. What made the success of last year all the more incredible was the turbulence that preceded it. Forced sales due to the threat of a Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breach, leading to an unsettled locker room, with no major first team signings, all was not well. This summer was supposed to be when mistakes were amended, but instead cracks have only deepened. One of those players most upset last summer was Alexander Isak, and the ongoing saga amid interest from Liverpool is born of the chaos upstairs. The club reneged on promises of a new contract, fuelling his anger, but don't seem capable of finding a replacement worthy to let him go. Benjamin Sesko is likely to join the long list of players to reject a move to St James' Park; Anthony Elanga is the only new arrival so far. Isak and the circus around him has created an almighty distraction for Newcastle, particularly since he didn't travel on the pre-season tour of Asia. But Newcastle already needs a striker to replace Callum Wilson, the defender chase is on hold, and the need for a goalkeeper is only now being dealt with by Aaron Ramsdale's impending arrival. Yet, even if Newcastle managed to sign adequate cover for all of those positions, it still wouldn't be fully ready for the new campaign. There is a real conundrum in midfield, which is hardly being discussed at all outside of the club. In fact, because Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have become such a reliable and effective trio, one of the best in the Premier League, it is seen as one of the least concerning areas. As with the club as whole, scratch the surface and the situation is far from healthy. The sale of Sean Longstaff to Leeds United has left Howe with just five senior options, with Lewis Miley and Joe Willock added to those named above. Although Howe said he would like to see Longstaff replaced this summer in an ideal world, given the difficulty solving more pressing problems in the squad and the relative lack of time until the transfer window shuts (just a month), it hardly seems likely. With Willock, once a vital member of the first team picture thanks to his athletic build and unwavering energy only for injuries to plague him since 2023, going down with an Achilles problem in defeat to a K-League XI in South Korea, more questions have been asked. The issue isn't said to be serious, but here's the thing, Willock has been fully fit for a year and consistently struggled for form last season. His performances, once a driving force in Newcastle's entire approach, dwindled to the point he became a passenger, and pre-season hasn't brought about the sort of required upturn. Sure, his injury issues will undoubtedly play a part, but he hasn't shown enough to push the team on. And so arrives another contradiction; Howe says signings must improve the first team at a high standard, yet aside from a few rumblings of interest from Premier League clubs, there has been no talk of Willock being replaced. Because there are so many other more important issues, Willock's form will not be scrutinized enough. When the Saudi Arabian-led project began in 2021, surely the idea would have been for poor form to have consequences. At the back end of the previous era under Mike Ashley, some players received arguably unjust contract renewals because they were bodies in a certain position. Better wasn't sought; if they could play, they were good enough. There are a number of ways the club is now resembling its former guise, despite a world of difference in wealth and purported ambition, and this is one of them. Longstaff needs replacing because there is a gap in the squad, and even that is unlikely. Willock is at least an option, who appears not to be urgently in need of change. There are many reasons for Newcastle's current malaise. PSR is one of them, but many are of its own doing. That lack of direction creates a lack of standards; Howe and the players have railed against it brilliantly. But the club is too reactive, constantly replacing out of necessity, because there is a space to fill in the boardroom or squad. As a result, upgrading is an afterthought and the midfield is suffering because of that.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak swap proposed as mega Liverpool and Newcastle deal 'suits all parties'
Newcastle United have been told that Liverpool could propose a swap deal to sign star striker Alexander Isak this summer, with Darwin Nunez potentially moving in the opposite direction Former Newcastle United defender Stuart Pearce has suggested Liverpool could propose a swap deal to secure the services of Alexander Isak this summer. Last week, Isak reported a thigh injury ahead of the club's trip to Asia and withdrew from training. He remained at home and did not travel with the squad. However, it later emerged that the striker had informed the club of his desire to explore his options this summer. Liverpool have been long-standing admirers of Isak, but Newcastle have remained firm on their stance that the striker is not for sale, with the club valuing him at around £150million. Pearce believes that Liverpool may find a way around that by offering wantaway marksman Darwin Nunez as part of a deal to sign Isak before the end of the summer transfer window. "The title is over if Liverpool get Isak, yes," Pearce told Chronicle Live. "They've ended up investing in what they've got and bring him and his goals through the door to add to [Mohamed] Salah would be incredible. "I think if a deal does get hashed with Newcastle. I think maybe [Darwin] Nunez going in the opposite direction to Newcastle might be the way that make Newcastle better off. "In my opinion, Nunez might be the one full of energy. He might just be the one that the new Newcastle fans take to. He creates chances for himself, for sure. "He's just been a little bit wasteful over time. If he gets that right, all of a sudden he'll be a very effective replacement for Isak," Pearce continued. "So if I was Newcastle, I would say, look, if at the end of the day we're going to lose Isak, send Nunez to us and then we'll have a bash with him. "You've played at Newcastle, they just love their own players up there, especially the forwards, don't they? You know, I can see, you've seen Nunez, he goes in, he misses a chance, he misses another one, but he keeps going. "He's unshakable in that respect. And you think that's a great trait to have as a striker. It's the ones that pull their neck in and don't get into missing chances. So I think I could see him playing for Newcastle, I really could, if they needed a replacement." Contract negotiations with the Swede, handled through intermediaries, resulted in Isak being presented with a £200,000 per week package by Newcastle, a proposal that would establish him as the club's top earner in history. Addressing the circumstances, Magpies manager Eddie Howe remarked: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS Alexander Isak decision
Liverpool have wanted to sign Alexander Isak all year long. Fabrizio Romano has the latest on how that's going. Liverpool first started to really push for Alexander Isak back in January. He's seen internally as the one who can seriously take the Reds' attack to another level. That's not exactly a revolutionary thought, of course. Isak was undoubtedly the best centre-forward in the Premier League last season from just about every viewpoint. Shop the LFC Store LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now He was the star of Newcastle United's UEFA Champions League qualification - and that's exactly why he's so difficult to actually sign. Newcastle may not even accept a record fee for the Swede, such is their desire to keep him. But things are now moving in a direction they don't like. Isak is now training away from the club on his own, while Liverpool appear to have more confidence than ever that a deal could happen. Fabrizio Romano has the latest on that. Fabrizio Romano on Alexander Isak Romano took to Twitter to explain the situation, confirming that Isak has indeed made his choice: he wants to move to Liverpool. He's not entertaining other options right now, despite interest. "Alexander Isak keeps waiting for Liverpool, his only clear choice despite reports on Al Hilal and more clubs," writes Romano. "Personal terms never gonna be an issue, as choice has been made weeks ago." That's huge, obviously. Isak wants Liverpool and Liverpool want Isak - it's just Newcastle that aren't certain here. The moment they decide to sell, the Reds will move and get this wrapped up quickly. Which is why the last line of Romano's tweet is so important.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester City Are Still Keen On Signing This Newcastle United Defender: Should Pep Snap Him Up?
Speaking on the Transfers from Paradise podcast, journalist Dean Jones mentioned that Manchester City are still keen on signing Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento this summer. Jones said, 'They (Manchester City) haven't made a bid for Livramento, but they're definitely persisting with their interest behind-the-scenes. They won't make a bid unless they know it will be successful or open a conversation that leads to success. They know that Newcastle don't want to sell the player, so their first job is to turn the player's head and then make sure they have the figures to get him out of there.' Livramento's Good Run Of Form In The Premier League Livramento had a solid campaign at the Tyneside club after he put in a string of impressive displays for them in the Premier League. The English right-back made 45 appearances for Newcastle last season, securing one assist in the process across all competitions. The 22-year-old performed his defensive responsibilities well and deserves a lot of credit for making 54 tackles, 37 blocks and 23 interceptions in the Premier League. He even distributed possession in the opponent's half after completing 85.4% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football (stats via NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Newcastle player Tino Livramento in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) Should Manchester City Boss Pep Guardiola Snap Livramento Up This Summer? Livramento is a good tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to earn the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when required and can even create the odd chance for his teammates to score. However, the English talent needs to add some goals to his game. Livramento mainly plays as a right-back but can also function as a left-back if told to do so. He already knows the Premier League well and won't take much time to adjust to life at the Mancunian club. Livramento would no doubt enhance the quality of Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola's defence. He has what it takes to fight for regular first-team football at the Etihad Stadium next season. At 22, Livramento has the potential to be a world-class player in his position someday. Thus, Guardiola would be wise to go all out to snap him up before the end of this transfer period.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Superstar STRANDED after Liverpool choose 23-goal striker instead
Liverpool have left one superstar stranded at his current club after heading in a different direction. The Reds know who they want. Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. The Reds have had their eyes on the Swede all year as the ultimate answer to their problems up top. LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now There's no real doubt that Isak would happily join the club. He's pushing for an exit from Newcastle - the problem is whether the Magpies would sell. Liverpool have been willing to put up a British transfer record fee to sign Isak. Newcastle have been clear they don't want the money. Recent developments suggest they might have had a change of heart, though. And that's why Liverpool's efforts to sign Isak have moved up a gear over the last week or two. But in doing that, they've seemingly left a star stranded elsewhere. One who was actually hoping to move to Anfield. Rodrygo Goes wanted Liverpool AS claims Rodrygo Goes is waiting for Liverpool to make an offer for him. He's expected to leave Real Madrid this summer, even if he's not entirely certain he wants to. But new boss Xabi Alonso isn't a massive fan of the Brazilian. He's now seen as a high-profile exit and initials reports suggested Liverpool wanted Rodrygo to replace Luis Diaz. Diaz has now joined Bayern Munich, of course, opening up a potential signing. Only, the AS report makes it clear that Liverpool aren't really there anymore.
