Why Tonali exit would add to fans' concernspublished at 16:57 BST 19 June
16:57 BST 19 June
Media caption,
Newcastle supporter John Steel has aired his concerns over transfer talk linking Sandro Tonali with a move to Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Speaking to Simon Pryde on BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport, he explained: "It really depends on where his head is at. The worrying thing from a Newcastle fan's point of view, if he did want to go, is that would be Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak in the past two seasons.
"It makes us worry about what is actually going on with the club. Is it that they don't think the project is working? Is it something to do with Eddie Howe? Is it something to do with the way the club is run?
"We don't know but it is worrying when you see your best assets going out of the door."
Munoz, Isak and a need to start fastpublished at 14:59 BST 19 June
14:59 BST 19 June
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United supporters will get an early glimpse of Victor Munoz on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
Only not in the way they once imagined.
Rather than walking out in black and white, the forward will be wearing a Liverpool shirt at St James' Park.
Liverpool announced they agreed a deal with Osasuna for Newcastle's top target on Thursday night and, less than 24 hours later, the fixture computer has paired Munoz's suitors together.
It is not the only sub-plot.
This will also be the first time striker Alexander Isak returns to Tyneside since pushing to leave the club for Liverpool last summer.
The atmosphere always tends to be lively when Liverpool visit, but you suspect this meeting on 23 August will be a particularly raucous affair as a result.
Who knows how Newcastle will look by then as they respond after losing out on Munoz.
It is easy to forget the transfer window has only been officially open for a few days, and it is a World Cup summer, but it feels imperative that Newcastle get the bulk of their business done by the time the season starts.
The campaign had already got underway when the majority of Newcastle's signings arrived last summer and, defender Malick Thiaw aside, it took too many too long to settle in.
Newcastle can't afford a repeat.
A trip to Tottenham Hotspur follows the game against Liverpool before Newcastle host Bournemouth, go to Leeds United and face newly promoted Hull City at St James' Park.
Even so early on in the season, this testing run of fixtures will tell us an awful lot and head coach Eddie Howe will be desperate to make a strong start.
He needs to, in truth, following such a bruising domestic campaign last year.
Newcastle v Liverpool: Did you know?published at 12:34 BST 19 June
12:34 BST 19 June
Image source, Getty Images
Unfortunately for Newcastle and Eddie Howe, they are winless in their past 19 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5 L14), with the Reds having not lost a league trip to St James' Park since 2015-16 - but will be starting out under new boss Andoni Iraola.
The Magpies haven't lost their opening league game in any of the past four seasons, though, since losing 4-2 to West Ham in 2021-22.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their first Premier League match in the past 13 seasons (W10 D3) since losing 3-0 to West Brom in 2012-13. It's the longest current ongoing run, and the longest since Chelsea went 18 seasons without losing the opener between 1999-00 and 2016-17.
Keegan's debut and Shearer seeing red - your opening-day memoriespublished at 08:42 BST 19 June
08:42 BST 19 June
Image source, Getty Images
To get in the mood for the 2026-27 Premier League fixture list, which is released on Friday, we asked for your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.
Here are some of your replies:
Smithy: Alan Shearer being sent off by Uriah Rennie on the opening day of the season in 1999 and losing to Aston Villa at home.
Jason: Mick Quinn scoring four on his debut against Leeds.
Richard: The one that sticks out for me was against Fulham at Craven Cottage when we were in the Championship. I was living in London at the time and had to be in the Fulham end. It was good to see Toon away from St James', even though we lost to the odd goal. Ended up in a pub with a load of Black and Whites so not all bad.
Ian: Worst opening day was away to Everton in 1988-89 after a multi-million pound squad rebuild following the sales of Paul Gascoigne and Paul Goddard. Season collapsed after 34 seconds. Dismal performance set the tone for a dismal season. Best opening day is easy: Kevin Keegan's debut in 1982. England captain, twice European Player of the Year. Great player, great man. He naturally scored the winner.
Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Magpies' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.
A 'big if' whether Tonali can be lured awaypublished at 12:03 BST 18 June
12:03 BST 18 June
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle have finished above Tottenham in the Premier League in three of the past four seasons. However, Spurs are still a long way clear of the Magpies in the revenue table thanks to substantial off-field income streams, which have offset difficult league campaigns.
In the respective clubs' most recent financial accounts, the Londoners generated £230m more in revenue than Newcastle.
Spurs are now looking to make the most of such headroom by raising their salary ceiling.
In an interview with BBC Sport, in May, the club's chief executive Vinai Venkatesham confirmed the change in approach and said they needed "experience, leadership and also that kind of physical robustness".
Sandro Tonali fits this description on his day.
His technical qualities are well known, but in 2024-25 - his best league campaign for Newcastle - he also tirelessly won possession back in midfield on 109 occasions, made 34 interceptions and applied 1,308 high-pressure movements.
No wonder even his usually measured head coach Eddie Howe once said he "fell in love" with this all-rounder when he first watched him play.
Howe would ideally not want to lose players like Tonali, Anthony Gordon or Alexander Isak for that matter, who joined Liverpool for a British record £125m last summer.
But Newcastle are having to become better sellers and plan accordingly as part of the club's rebuild.
If a huge offer of up to £100m is eventually made by one of Tonali's suitors, it may be tempting to cash in on a player whose form has noticeably dipped.
However, at this early stage of the window, that remains a big if.
Munoz brings back familiar feelingpublished at 10:55 BST 18 June
10:55 BST 18 June
This Victor Munoz setback will bring back some very painful memories for Newcastle.
The club missed out on a number of first-choice targets last summer, including Hugo Ekitike, who also opted to join Liverpool.
There are one or two parallels with that particular failed pursuit.
Whether it was the manner in which news of Newcastle entering advanced talks first emerged, from a third party, or how Liverpool quietly entered the race, it felt a little familiar in the end.
There was a degree of caution inside Newcastle last week at a time when even sources at Osasuna stressed a formal bid had not been received.
Subsequently, it is understood Osasuna only received offers from two clubs - Newcastle and Liverpool - which were both accepted.
To then miss out on Munoz is a hammer blow for Newcastle, who have set out to strike early and learn lessons from last year's turbulent window.
Although Newcastle will move on to other targets, Munoz had been identified as the man they believed could be Gordon's long-term replacement.
Understandably so.
In the right hands, and with time, he is blessed with all the raw ingredients to one day flourish in the Premier League – not least his lightning pace.
However, as was the case with Ekitike, Newcastle will now have to watch on from afar as he pitches up at Anfield.
Gossip: Newcastle face competition for El Malapublished at 08:31 BST 18 June
08:31 BST 18 June
Tottenham have opened talks over a deal for Germany Under-21 forward Said El Mala from Cologne and hope to beat Newcastle and Nottingham Forest to the 19-year-old's signature. (Teamtalk), external
'This is what happens if you can't get a run of games' - Howey on Livramentopublished at 17:15 BST 17 June
17:15 BST 17 June
Media caption,
Tino Livramento's lack of consistent game time in an injury-hit season has cost him his place at the World Cup, says former Newcastle defender Steve Howey
The full-back sustained a calf tear in the England camp on Sunday to add yet another issue to the growing injury record for the 23-year-old, and has now been replaced by Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah.
"It's devastating for the lad because I think it's a grade-two tear, so he's got no chance," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"It's heartbreaking for him, so it must be really tough for him and his family because he's done ever so well to get there but you know these things unfortunately do happen.
"This is what happens if you're out and you can't get a significant run of games to get that stability, to get that strength, that core strength. You're very, very susceptible to picking up little, niggly injuries - hamstrings, groins, carves, thighs, your back, just anything.
"You just feel as though you're always on the edge of picking something up. Especially, as I said, it could be little, niggly ones or it could be a long-term one.
"I remember Derek Wright [Newcastle's former head physiotherapist] saying to me, I had three long injuries that kept me out and I need at least 15 to 20 games on the bounce. Then you kind of got that core strength in your body. But what tends to happen is five, six games - break down. Two, three - break down. 10 games - break down. And that seems to be what's happened with him."
Click play above to hear Howey draw from his own experience during the 1990 World Cup or listen on BBC Sounds here
"I reckon Sandro Tonali would ideally fancy going back to AC Milan but there are Tottenham links there," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle. "As fans, we are excited to see who our teams sign but we are looking over our shoulders to see if other clubs are looking at our players.
"Tottenham would be a strange move to me because of where they finished the past two seasons - but it is London.
"I do think the location has a pull for possibly him and his family. Even though Newcastle is a lovely place to live, it isn't London.
"Plus I can't see Tottenham being anything near what they have been the past two seasons with Roberto de Zerbi in charge. It could be a case of him turning them around significantly, and Tonali might want to be a part of that.
"Some people will look at it and question his loyalty, particularly after the issue at the start of his time at Newcastle, and I don't think there is any of that going on.
"He is a top player. He is one of the best midfield players Newcastle have got, so losing him would be a major blow. He is a very good player, which is also the reason other clubs are looking at him.
"Newcastle fans might not like it but the fact is when players are being looked at by the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, they more than likely tend to go."
Livramento out of World Cuppublished at 14:39 BST 16 June
14:39 BST 16 June
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has been ruled out of England's World Cup campaign with a calf injury, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah called up to replace the full-back.
Livramento suffered a calf injury during training on Sunday. England begin their World Cup bid against Croatia on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old's involvement in the tournament had already been in doubt after he missed the final five weeks of the season with a thigh problem.
Livramento, who made his international debut under Sir Gareth Southgate in November 2024, has featured five times during Thomas Tuchel's reign, starting twice.
He came on at half-time during the 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand but was left on the bench against Costa Rica.
Chalobah is on his way to England's camp in Kansas City and will join up with the squad after the Croatia match.
Nickson will leave transfer legacy at Newcastlepublished at 11:01 BST 16 June
11:01 BST 16 June
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Steve Nickson may have operated in the shadows, but the departing head of recruitment's legacy at Newcastle United is undoubted.
It was Nickson who was heavily involved when Newcastle broke their transfer record to sign Miguel Almiron in 2019.
He played a pivotal role in the £40m arrival of Joelinton, even if few could have imagined the Brazilian later being reborn as a combative central midfielder.
Nickson helped convince Ayoze Perez to join Newcastle ahead of Porto in 2014.
He also remained a support for Allan Saint-Maximin even after the Frenchman joined the club, and helped convince him to sign a new long-term contract in 2020.
It was rather telling that Nickson was one of the few senior figures to stay on after the club's subsequent takeover.
It was Nickson, for example, who physically flew out to Brazil to finalise the signing of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in 2022.
Reflecting on that crucial window, a few years later, head coach Eddie Howe said Nickson "made sure that it was a real success" in the absence of a sporting director at the time.
He has remained an important part of the club's recruitment team, identifying defender Sven Botman, and jetted out to San Sebastian and Milan to help tie up deals for Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali.
Nickson, who has a sporting director qualification, now looks set to move on and take up a position with potentially more responsibility in the Championship.
It will be another notable exit behind the scenes, whenever his leaving date is ultimately confirmed.
However, unlike last summer, when Paul Mitchell departed, Newcastle have a sporting director in situ in Ross Wilson.
Plans are in place and it will fall to Wilson and his recruitment team to carry them out.
Munoz is 'one of the pearls of Spanish football'published at 17:53 BST 12 June
17:53 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle target Victor Munoz is "one of the pearls of Spanish football," says La Liga expert Phil Minshull.
The Magpies remain in talks with Osasuna to sign the 22-year-old winger, who is viewed as a replacement for Anthony Gordon.
"He is an outstanding young talent," said Minshull to BBC Radio Newcastle. "He's one of the pearls of Spanish football.
"He's been called up to the Spanish squad and he's going to be part of the World Cup squad.
"He's a very strong, right-footed attacking winger. He can play both sides. He's very robust. Very physical. He challenges defenders.
"One question mark over his technical abilities is his passing as he only got two assists in the whole of last season. But he does take on defenders, and he provides all sorts of challenges for them pulling players in his direction and opening up space for the other forwards.
"He can play either side of the park and that makes him a valuable asset depending on the resources of the rest of the team.
"Also, he's always tracking back and he's a strong tackler so he's supporting the defenders as well. There's no question marks over his work rate.
"I think a move to Newcastle would be the next step up in his development."
How much can Newcastle spend?published at 14:10 BST 12 June
14:10 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
In the final part of our special Q&A, BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly will be answering a selection of the questions you have sent in throughout Friday, including on how much the Magpies can spend this summer and what is happening with the striker situation.
Ewan asked: How much can Newcastle realistically spend on new players?
Ciaran answered: There was a time when clubs had set figures at the start of windows and this was a much more straightforward question to answer.
However, the days of war chests are over and, internally, Newcastle use the term 'headroom'.
It is a fluid calculation, taking into account current ongoing costs relating to the squad and the legacy of previous windows, such as last year's bruising summer.
This is why the trading of players like Anthony Gordon is going to be so important to boost headroom, particularly after Newcastle missed out on the riches of the Champions League and, indeed, any European football whatsoever.
Newcastle may be out of Europe, but those inside the club have stressed the importance of still complying with Uefa's rules, which enable the Magpies to spend up to 70% of their revenue.
I certainly don't envisage a £241m spending spree like last summer, even if that outlay was admittedly balanced by the £125m sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
The £18.5m arrival of goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims feels like a sign of what is to come in terms of the markets and the age profile Newcastle are looking at.
Several positions still need addressing so it is not hard to anticipate more than £100m being spent this summer with the help of sales.
The difference in this window is Newcastle are looking more at players in the £20m-£35m bracket to address key areas of the squad rather than making £69m signings like Nick Woltemade.
Image source, Getty Images
Will asked: Howe seemed to indicate he was happy with the striker situation at the club in the final weeks of the season. Are the club actively looking to buy or sell in this area? It was a surprise to hear for most fans, especially with Wissa hardly featuring.
Ciaran answered: In some ways, it was not necessarily a hugely surprising response from Eddie Howe.
With a few games remaining of the season at the time, and having spent £124m on Yoane Wissa and Woltemade, it would not have been a great show of faith to say otherwise publicly.
It would not necessarily have helped Newcastle in future negotiations, either.
I don't see Woltemade going personally – Howe had an eye on the future by using him in the number 10 role towards the end of the season – and the head coach has repeatedly spoken of how Wissa will benefit from at least some form of pre-season after he returns from the World Cup.
In truth, it is hard to imagine there being many takers for Wissa after he scored just three goals last season.
In terms of incomings, the manner in which William Osula ended the campaign has given the club real food for thought after he bagged six goals in nine league appearances.
In a strange way, if Newcastle were to enter the market for a striker right now, the 22-year-old fits the sort of profile they would be looking at: good with both feet, 6ft 3in tall, quick in behind, mobile enough to press opposition defenders and still with plenty of room for further development.
I suspect the club may look at signing a versatile forward who would predominantly play on the wing, but could also offer cover through the middle as Gordon did.
Scroll further down this page to find the rest of the Q&A with Ciaran.
Were Howe's tweaks a glimpse at next season?published at 10:53 BST 12 June
10:53 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
In the second part of a special Q&A, BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly reflects on whether Eddie Howe hinted at an attacking system at the back end of the last campaign and gives his opinion on the already infamous new home kit.
Richard asked: NUFC seemed to be building through the middle more towards the end of last season - do you think this is what they'll be working on pre-season? Could this be plan B - or even plan A for next season?
Ciaran answered: It certainly felt like signs of belated evolution, which ultimately came too late in the campaign.
Live wire William Osula gave Newcastle something very different up front with his pace in behind and his ability to lead the press.
The use of Jacob Ramsey as an inverted winger was effective against West Ham, in particular, in the final home game of the season.
Record signing Nick Woltemade looked a lot more comfortable in a number ten role, where he was able to link play.
Head coach Eddie Howe made such tweaks with an eye on the future, but new standards will need to be set in pre-season following a disappointing 12th-placed finish.
This is when Howe will truly set his stall out on how he wants the team to play.
Howe will not radically move away from his core principles, but it is as much about being "effective" as well as "different" in his eyes.
Much will be influenced by the players Newcastle recruit this summer.
If Newcastle get this window right, it then falls to Howe to make the most of additional training time and recovery time to ensure the club bounce back.
Image source, Newcastle United
Robert: Why do you think they changed their home strip? I think it is a very bad choice. What was wrong with the traditional stripes?
Ciaran answered: Newcastle called it a "fresh, new take" and said it "reimagines our classic look with a bold, disrupted stripe pattern".
In a strange way, as a result, Juventus' shirt by the same supplier - Adidas - looks more like a traditional Newcastle kit.
There is a precedent, though, from back in 1990 when Newcastle also had thin stripes on their home shirt.
But I would be absolutely staggered if the club did not revert back to a more traditional look next season.
Keep across this page for the final part of Ciaran's Q&A, which will look at subjects including how much Newcastle can spend this summer and the striker situation.
Benefiting from Gordon sale and emerging youngsterspublished at 07:59 BST 12 June
07:59 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you to send in your questions for BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly before the summer transfer window opens.
In the first part of a special Q&A, he focuses on how Anthony Gordon's big-money move to Barcelona could benefit the Magpies in the market and which youngsters could follow in Lewis Miley's footsteps.
Matt asked: How much of a leash have the recruitment team got this summer? With the sale of Gordon, will this give us strong opportunity to compete for stronger players?
Ciaran: A big sale was definitely a necessity to unlock some headroom and enable Newcastle to reinvest.
So finalising Gordon's £69.3m switch to Barcelona before the window even opened felt like an important first step this summer.
But Gordon will still leave a gap.
There were a few penalties along the way, but he scored 17 goals for Newcastle last season - more than any other player.
He is a regular starter for England.
He was used to the intensity and physicality of the Premier League.
Newcastle do not necessarily have the capability to bring in a replacement with an even stronger profile given the wages and fees such talents command.
However, they are looking for younger players who would not cost as much as Gordon right now, but who have immense potential that can be realised in the right hands.
He is already a Spain international, but the 22-year-old winger has just completed his first full season as a first-team player at Osasuna.
By moving for him now, Newcastle could secure Munoz for nearly half the fee Gordon commanded and, potentially, before other clubs are prepared to step in.
Image source, Getty Images
Danny asked: Does Eddie Howe believe he has any players in the reserves or academy like Miley who are ready to make a breakthrough to the first team?
Ciaran answered: Miley really is the club's crown jewel.
He is Newcastle's youngest debutant in the Premier League and Champions League and no-one in the club's history has scored a goal for the club in both competitions at such a tender age.
That is quite a benchmark, but there are a few others who Howe has kept a close eye on.
Sean Neave, Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar have obviously been in and around the first team for a while now and winger Park Seung-soo was named on the bench on the opening day last season.
Beyond that quartet, Rory Finneran, who has already won a senior cap for the Republic of Ireland at just 18, has trained with the first team, as has fellow midfielder Mason Miley, the younger brother of Lewis.
Newcastle's senior players at the World Cup will be given about three weeks off once they finish up at the tournament, so I could see Howe bringing several youngsters to the club's pre-season training camp in Spain in July.
That will give them a chance to really impress.
Then there could be decisions to be made as the summer goes on regarding who may benefit from a loan or who has impressed enough to stay around the first-team environment.
Keep across this page on Friday for parts two and three of Ciaran's Q&A, which will look at subjects including the striker situation and whether Howe has dropped some hints about the coming season.
A shift in approach this summer as Newcastle move for Munozpublished at 17:12 BST 11 June
17:12 BST 11 June
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle reporter
Image source, Getty Images
This already feels like a very different summer for Newcastle.
Whereas the Alexander Isak saga dragged on until Newcastle buckled and sold the Swede to Liverpool for £125m on deadline day, this time around, the club agreed to let Anthony Gordon go to Barcelona before the window even officially opened.
Similarly, whereas Newcastle spent £55m to make Anthony Elanga their first signing of last summer, this time around, the club have pivoted away from the Premier League proven market with their opening moves of the window.
Newcastle have always targeted players from the continent, as well as those with top-flight experience, but Ewen Jaouen's arrival and the pursuit of Osasuna's Victor Munoz have still signalled a shift in approach as the club look to learn lessons from last year's bruising summer.
Newcastle have since widened their recruitment network.
They are attempting to sign younger players with the potential to grow with the club - like Jaouen, who is 20, and Munoz, who is 22.
As BBC Sport previously reported, Newcastle are also bidding to make smarter use of data after sporting director Ross Wilson walked into a club whose operation was way behind what he left at Nottingham Forest in October 2025.
Yet, most noticeably, they are moving quickly.
After already signing Jaouen, Newcastle are looking to recruit Munoz, potentially even before he has the chance to catch the eye of other suitors with a cameo from the bench at the World Cup.
