This week’s Newcastle Confidential asked for your questions – and thank you for the scores that came in.
From stadiums to transfers to contracts and sponsorship, no subject was left unexplored.
We’ve picked around 15 that cover most areas, and my answers are below… enjoy!
Do you think we are using Bryan Mbeumo as a media smokescreen for an alternative and lesser-known No 1 right wing target – Akliouche/Bakayoko etc? (Magpie Media)
If £60million is the price for Mbeumo, wouldn’t that be a fair price with what he offers? I’d say so! (Owen)
Mbuemo is a name that has been doing the rounds for a while now. He was strongly linked ahead of January. Indeed, I recall doing a YouTube Q&A from Athens in November and saying then there was no chance of him arriving in the New Year. That is not to say Newcastle don’t like him.
We reported in this column on January 23 that Steve Nickson watched Mbuemo during Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City earlier that month. And there is a lot to like about him, I agree.
Bryan Mbeumo’s name has been doing the rounds around Newcastle for a while now
The Brentford winger scored home and away against Newcastle in the league this season
I’m just not sure Newcastle would pay upwards of £60million. Paul Mitchell said during his interview with us in September that paying a premium for proven players was a luxury they could perhaps no longer afford.
You may say in response, what about Matheus Cunha? I think this is slightly different in that the versatility Newcastle identified in the Wolves forward would have made it feel like two signings for the price of one (even if that was £62.5m).
Eddie Howe, and others, believe Cunha can play as a 7, 8, 9 & 11. Sadly, for Newcastle, it looks like Manchester United have offered a salary package way beyond where Newcastle can currently go. However, if Man United fail to make the Champions League and Newcastle do, there may still be a twist or two in that one.
As for Mbeumo being a media smokescreen, I don’t think so. He is a player they like and they have watched him – he will be on the shortlist. He is versatile, but not to the extent of Cunha.
If they can negotiate Brentford down from the reported asking price, a deal could be explored, especially as he only has two years to run on his contract (one year plus a one-year extension option). Personally, I think he would be an excellent signing.
Johan Bakayoko, of PSV, has been watched, but it’s gone quiet on him of late. I’m not sure the interest is that strong.
Which centre backs are potential targets? (Brandon Chance)
Marc Guehi is still on the radar, for sure. The player has a decision to make given he can leave Crystal Palace for a free in 2026. But if a reasonable fee can be negotiated, I’d expect Newcastle to be back at the table for him.
He would not have forgotten how keen Howe was to sign him last summer, and the defender will know that, under Newcastle’s coaches, he is likely to improve.
Marc Guehi should be available for a more reasonable fee from Crystal Palace this summer
Have journalists noticed a reduction in access to senior people behind the scenes in the last year? I do wonder why Peter Silverstone has not been asked directly why he/ the club have not secured sponsors for St James’ and the training ground while they await developments, it’s a no brainer! (Steve Lowthian)
We had some time with Darren Eales recently but yes, I agree, an audience with Peter Silverstone would be beneficial to both journalists and supporters. The absence of a training ground/kit sponsor is, for me, a mystery.
It has seemed like such an easy gain for three years now. I was told two years ago when the Sela shirt deal was being confirmed that some of the interested companies who had missed out could pick up the training-kit sponsorship, but it never happened.
Certainly, the club would benefit from more engagement with supporters via the media, be that the hierarchy on the ground in the UK or PIF, who have not spoken on the record to the English media since the takeover.
How vast will the difference between the funds be if we don’t make top 5? (Daniel)
I haven’t been given specifics on either budget, most likely because the club are still formulating those numbers.
What I have been told is that the club more or less know what they want to do now – positions and names within those areas. That will not change depending on Champions League or Europa League, but the ability to make it all happen will do.
For example, I’m told that a goalkeeper and right-sided centre back will be priority targets no matter what. James Trafford and Guehi are two names I would watch very closely. After that, the right winger could become a question of budget, depending on which European competition the club are playing in.
James Trafford, along with Guehi, is a name I would watch closely for Newcastle this summer
Newcastle need to get back into the Champions League to be sure of keeping all their stars
But also, and here is the big variable, failure to qualify for the Champions League might just give Newcastle a bigger budget than they expected, given the possibility of one of their top players moving on. Fans might not want to hear this, but I’d expect at least one of those top stars to want to go if Newcastle finish outside the top five.
If so, they might have more money to spend in the Europa League than they would have done the Champions League! That, though, is absolutely scenario B for Newcastle.
Does Eddie Howe’s stubbornness to a 4-3-3 formation limit our flexibility when considering issues like Joelinton’s absence – could we not shift to wing-backs and change it up? (RWX)
I’d say that 20 wins from 26, in which the 4-3-3 system was used for every game bar those around the Carabao Cup semi-finals, has proven that Howe’s ‘stubbornness’ is more a belief in what works, and it does!
I take your point, but I wouldn’t be changing a winning formula at this stage of the season. The likes of Tonali, Bruno and Murphy all know exactly what role they are playing right now, so to mix that up would be unnecessary, for me.
How many first-team starters do you think we’ll sign and is Jonathan David a realistic target? (Alistair Black)
Lille striker David (available on a free this summer) has been watched, but I was told a few weeks back that his wage demands, coupled with a growing confidence that Alexander Isak will stay, make him less of a realistic target.
As for numbers… I’d say a goalkeeper, centre back and right winger will arrive. After that, it probably depends on outgoings. Howe does not like summers of big transition, so I’d expect a minimum of three to arrive and a maximum of five.
Lille and Canada striker Jonathan David is available on a free this summer but his wage demands are high
There is a growing confidence that star man Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle this summer
Do you think Joelinton will play this season? It seems like he hasn’t given it up himself. (Mark Doyle)
I reported this week that it’s unlikely Joelinton will play again this season. The curveball is Joelinton himself!
As I wrote then, he has not given up on featuring and, while that is the case, there remains a chance. The good news is that the injury is not so serious that it definitely rules him out until next season and beyond.
However, my sources say it would be best if he wasn’t needed in the remaining four matches and could rest the knee that has been troubling him.
Are they keeping Wilson or Longstaff? If so, why? (Alex)Is it true that Wilson is going to be given a new 12-month contract? (Glenn McCready)
With Callum Wilson, I’m told that all options are still on the table. If he continues to prove his fitness, don’t rule out a 12-month deal on re-negotiated terms.
However, I’d still say that the likelihood is he moves on, and that could well be the player’s decision, especially if an offer from abroad arrives.
Sean Longstaff’s contract extension was invoked by the club earlier this season, but only to protect their value of the player. He will most likely be sold this summer, but the package would have to be right for him. The alternative is waiting until 2026 to leave on a free.
I don’t think Longstaff has had his best season – in previous years he’s been very under-rated, for me – but a homegrown player in European competition could yet be useful to the club. So, like Wilson, nothing is definite as of now.
Why is the stadium decision taking so long? Even Man United are progressing faster than us. (TopBoy162)
How we reported in March the new stadium site will look, with around 65,000 seats
Confidential reported in March that owners and executives had been presented with a vision of how a new stadium of around 65,000 seats on Leazes Park would look, and a glossy video was produced. That remains the intention.
But we also wrote in January that an announcement on the decision to move (or stay at SJP) would be delayed until the end of the season. That date is fast approaching. I would expect a club update within the next month.
Have you heard anything on Wilfried Singo? (Mr Culyer)
I did check out Singo’s name when it was first mentioned, and it was very much played down to me.
Do you think we’ll sign a midfielder besides the obvious positions? With Longstaff likely to leave he’ll need replacing, and I feel there’s a drop off in quality below Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton. (Rian)
I asked this question myself recently and the answer was… ‘not necessarily’. That is where the versatility of Cunha would have been invaluable.
It is hoped and expected that Lewis Miley will step up and be involved more next season, and Joe Willock needs a sustained period of fitness to get back to his best.
That is a very good quintet and, if Longstaff does stay (as discussed above), I think Newcastle will go with those six heading into next season.
For now, there is a greater need in other areas, and Newcastle are no doubt reassured by the fact Tonali and Guimaraes rarely miss games.
It is hoped and expected that Lewis Miley will step up and be involved more next season
Newcastle are no doubt reassured by the fact Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes rarely miss games
Scouting coverage … has there been an increased volume of visits to certain areas and focus on certain continents? (David Peel)
Steve Nickson was at the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations recently and he has also been to South America, taking in matches in Venezuela, among other countries.
Mitchell’s model is to cast the net far wider, evidenced by the arrival of Turkish, Georgian and Spanish teenagers. That will continue. He wants to identity stars before they are shining to the rest of the world.
The summer budget will only stretch so far and considering we probably need a new GK, CB, RW, ST & potentially another body in midfield if Longstaff goes, can you rank what you’re feeling the club will prioritise? (Davey R3)
I have mentioned this in various places above, but I’ll bring it all together… Goalkeeper and centre back, plus a right winger with some versatility to cover at No.9 and, ideally, on the left (and even midfield!). After that, it depends on who leaves.
How big a failure will it be if Newcastle miss out on Champions League qualification? And will it result in the top players wanting to play elsewhere? (Adrian Bromfield)
I would be reluctant to label anything to do with this season a failure, but I take the point.
From this position now, it would be a huge disappointment if they did not make the top five. And yes, that could have short and long-term implications.
From this position now, it would be a huge disappointment if Newcastle did not qualify for the Champions League again
Without Champions League, I suspect one or two star players would be open to leaving
Without Champions League, I suspect one or two would be open to leaving. A player’s career is short and I would not blame anyone for wanting to play in the best competitions while in their prime.
It’s not that simple, though, and contractually, Newcastle are in a strong position with most of their top assets. Don’t underestimate the power of the Champions League, either, in giving Isak the platform and salary he deserves.
TOON TEASER
The last question posed was… Alan Shearer is Newcastle’s record Premier League scorer with 148 goals. Can you name the other SIX players who have 10 or more whose surname begins with ’S’? The answers were; Nobby Solano, Gary Speed, Fabian Schar, Allan Saint-Maximin, Moussa Sissoko and Jonjo Shelvey.
This week’s teaser is… Newcastle have had 10 players in their history who have been capped by Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland). Name them (note: not necessarily capped while playing at Newcastle).
