NUFC Rumour Mill In Overdrive
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
With the end of the season just a few short weeks away the media is churning out rumour after rumour about Newcastle players, Eddie Howe and PIF. Is anything true?
Five Players In The Headlights
Bruno, Tonali, Livramento, Hall and Gordon are all supposedly being lined up for big money moves to one or more of the Big Five.
Bruno: Rumours persist that his agent is in talks with Man U and that Bruno is 'interested' in the move.
Truth Rating: 4/10
Tonali: Man City, Man U and Arsenal are all in the mix for his signature but the latest report is he would prefer a move back to Italy.
Truth Rating: 7/10
Livramento: Persistent rumours of interest from Man City amid talk that he isn't engaging in new contract talks.
Truth Rating: 8/10
Gordon: Previous talk of a move to Liverpool have now stepped up a gear with the news that Salah will leave at the end of the season.
Truth Rating: 5/10
Hall: Newcastle's POTS performances and handling of wonder boy Lamine Yamal have propelled him to the notice of the elite clubs. Big bids are expected in the summer.
Truth Rating: 4/10 (bids possible but a move unlikely)
Squad Overhaul: Some of the local hacks are reporting that up to ten players could leave in the summer and, if so, these are likely to include out of contract and fringe players like Trippier, Schar, Krafth, Targett, Ashby as well as potentially Willock and two of our top players.
There could be other outgoings, it wouldn't surprise me if Murphy was sold, and Ramsdale won't be signed permanently according to reports.
Truth Rating: 7/10
Eddie Howe' future
The Barcelona and Sunderland defeats combined with our PL position almost killing off any chance of CL qualification - and potentially any European action next season - have put Eddie at short odds to be one of the next PL managers to get the sack.
The sounds coming from the club is that Eddie still retains the full support of the hierarchy within SJP, and with PIF, and that he will still be at the helm next season.
Talk of the England job being available - and Eddie being in contention - if Tuchel has a poor World Cup are swirling in the background.
Truth Rating: 2/10 (80% chance Eddie will be here for next season)
PIF looking to sell?
Dubai based Richard Keys says he has heard whispers that PIF are looking for a buyer at £1B after deciding that financial restrictions are preventing their planned NUFC project.
The restrictions are a fact ,but who would pay £1B to find themselves in the same boat?
Whether the rumour is true or not, the only clubs likely to go for north of £1B are those right at the top of the income tree. And NUFC aren't one of those clubs.
The other side of the coin is - have PIF had a rethink on their investment commitment?
Ground upgrade, new training facilities and transfer funds; is the motivation still there to spend what is needed?
This season in the PL and the result against Barcelona have shown the massive gap between NUFC and the elite teams.
Upbeat talk of a title by 2030 currently looks like a pipe dream, especially in a season when we have taken a step backwards from our upward momentum.
Another factor is the war on Saudi Arabia's doorstep; how that plays out and how if affects PIF is literally up in the air currently.
So the question is; is there any truth in PIF having second thoughts about NUFC?
Truth Rating: 5/10
Summary: Uncertain future
There is no doubt that this season the NUFC rollercoaster has hit the buffers.
Pre-season executive turmoil, Isak leaving, failed transfer targets, last minute buys that haven't yet paid off, and an indifferent season way behind high expectations.
And now a raft of transfer rumours and managerial and ownership speculation.
It doesn't make for pleasant reading.
These situations happen at times in all businesses - and that is when those steering the ship either navigate through the problems, or crash into them.
Massive decisions need to be made, and some won't be easy and will carry risks.
CEO Hopkinson and recruitment chief Ross especially need to show their mettle.
Eddie Howe needs to decide which players he has faith in and retains, and who leaves.
And, crucially, every penny of this summer's spending has to pay dividends, and fast.
Newcastle United are at crossroads.
Which way do you think we will go?
Last Post: From High Noon To Low Doom
Next Post: Barry Paul Henry: Great Expectations?
Blog Member Barry Paul Hendry: Great Expectations?
According to the reports, if its confirmed/true, Martinez won't even join until he's 18 so we won't see him till then and who knows who will still be here by then
Ramsdale is up for Save of the Month, Osula Goal of the Month. Both for the win over Man U. Howe is up for Manager of the Month. Full story on the Toon website or vote here https://www.premierleague.com/en/awards/manager-of-the-month/2025-26/march or here https://www.premierleague.com/en/awards/goal-of-the-month/2025-26/march and here https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4622215
Looks like we've signed the 16-year-old Johan Martinez, who can play on either flank and up front. He's supposed to be a young gem, so let's hope that, if true, he doesn't get lost in the system.
Interesting if Chelsea have to change name if they move location. Last time I looked they aren't actually based in Chelsea. I prefer to call them Fulham's other team 😆
OK, unlike other London teams who are not based where they profess to come from, they're only on the wrong side of a railway line. That is still good enough for me !
I reckon they'd have as many problems finding land in either Kensigton/Chelsea or Hammersmith/Fulham as we have in finding something in the toon. Eelbrook / South Park / Hurlingham would all have lots of seriously well heeled residents to object. There is a nice little spot down by the river backing onto the Cottage... 😆
Confession time.…