For three successive years, June has proven to be a testing month for Newcastle United.
Having already been gazumped by Liverpool (again), this time for Victor Munoz, their star midfielder Sandro Tonali looks destined to depart.
So what does the rest of the summer hold? And has any progress been made with off-field infrastructure projects?
Chris Waugh answers your questions in this mailbag.
Is there any credible transfer strategy? Selling Tonali before any additional signings is a great way for fans to turn — Euan M
Is there a possibility we’re holding off on deals until July when the new financial window is open? — Matt U
Waugh: The consistent message has been that a clear transfer strategy is in place and Newcastle are determined not to repeat last summer’s mistakes (the expenditure from which is affecting their capacity to invest now). Failing to qualify for Europe has hit revenues, too.
Inside Newcastle, they reference “Moneyball” — the 2003 book about how the Oakland Athletics baseball team assembled a competitive side on a lower budget — and while they are not pretending to be enacting a replica strategy, the hierarchy do talk about the need to be “smarter” and creative.
Players under 24 have predominantly been targeted post-takeover and that has been reaffirmed. Newcastle are working on multiple deals simultaneously, including for players in the same position, and are confident their blueprint will deliver a successful window. The plan is there, they insist, and judgement will arrive in September.
Ideally, Tonali would only be sold once first-XI signings arrive. But letting Tonali go would also free up money and, if Newcastle receive an acceptable bid, they may have to accept it, despite the poor timing. The optics, given the already negative mood setting in among the fanbase, would not be great, mind.
As for whether Newcastle are waiting until the new footballing financial year, sources insist not. They wanted to sign Munoz, have been working on other deals and already have the proceeds from Anthony Gordon’s sale (which theoretically gave them scope to act early).
Will Tonali wave goodbye to Newcastle this summer? (George Wood/Getty Images)
Are the links to Kees Smit credible? Do Newcastle believe it’s a deal they can do? — Joseph S
Why does it seem the club will wait to sell Tonali before bringing in Lamine Camara or Smit? Why wait to negotiate from a position of weakness? — Seth H
Waugh: Newcastle really like AZ Alkmaar’s Smit and enquired about him last summer. They would love to sign the 20-year-old — but do not believe they are going to. Insiders were bemused by claims Newcastle had re-engaged on Smit because, since the winter, they have been convinced he will go to an elite European club.
On selling Tonali before bringing in a replacement, your concern is fair and Newcastle know that too. Preferably he would only go once a midfielder is already acquired — given prices will likely rise once Newcastle have secured the funds for the Italian — but the order of events in the market do not always go according to plan.
Monaco’s Camara is someone Newcastle have watched long term and is currently playing at the World Cup, so his involvement with Senegal may be holding up a potential move for the 22-year-old (be that to Tyneside or elsewhere).
Do Newcastle scout at the World Cup? Could that change plans? — Craig B
Waugh: Several — if not most — of Newcastle’s targets are at the World Cup. For Munoz that did not act as an impediment, but most players are unlikely to move until their nations have been eliminated.
Newcastle are watching closely but it would be a surprise if they dramatically altered their list based upon a player they were not seriously considering beforehand excelling at the World Cup. Their targets are already largely established, with months of background work carried out.
More of a concern is actually whether a player they believed to be attainable really impresses and their price increases or, more damagingly, an elite club rivals Newcastle for their signature.
Will Newcastle go back in for James Trafford or sign a more experienced goalkeeper? Is there a deadline to decide Nick Pope’s future? — Kevin B
Waugh: Eddie Howe wants a new No 1 as a priority. Ewen Jaouen has huge potential but Newcastle want him to challenge another goalkeeper in 2026-27.
Trafford is the man Howe has sought for two years and the Manchester City shot-stopper remains the ‘keeper he would ideally like to sign. A “more experienced goalkeeper”, does not necessarily mean someone a lot older, but could be someone of the profile of Trafford, who may be just 23 but is an England international who has played in the Premier League.
With Pope, there is no deadline per se. Newcastle cannot permit the 34-year-old to leave until they have signed/are signing a replacement. That may lead potential suitors for Pope to look elsewhere and it is not out of the question that Pope stays even if a goalkeeper arrives.
James Trafford is a long-term target of Eddie Howe (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Why didn’t the club just trigger Munoz’s release clause? — Lainie B
Is it overstated that Newcastle got ‘hijacked’ for Munoz? It’s clear we’re trying to compete with smart business, to sign lower-profile players for less — azouzi9185
Is Munoz a repeat of last summer’s failed strategy? Should the club lower its sights for targets? — Joe P
Waugh: The background to the Munoz deal collapsing and why Newcastle did not trigger his release clause is explained here.
‘Hijack’ may seem strong, but Newcastle were convinced he was Tyneside-bound — ahead of Anfield — and that only a volte-face on Munoz’s part changed that.
I agree that criticism of Newcastle identifying Munoz as Gordon’s successor feels harsh. Munoz was not of the equivalent standing of Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko or Hugo Ekitike last summer. He had drawn excitement in Spain and was sought-after, but Munoz was a lower-profile, less-polished player who could have grown with Newcastle.
Ultimately an elite club gazumped them again, yet if they only go for players no ambitious outfit wants, it is going to be difficult to compete for European football again next season.
Why do Newcastle’s transfers play out in public? I didn’t see anything from Liverpool journos on Munoz — Shaun S
Why is every target all over the press? Is it agent-driven, club not being discreet? — Ben K
Waugh: Newcastle were not the source of the Munoz leaks. As a journalist who covers the club, there was even frustration on my part that we could not get more from the Newcastle side as the deal unfolded, particularly once we had information about the value of the fee agreed with Osasuna.
The news initially broke in Spain and most of the incremental updates came out there. Whether that was the agent, Osasuna or someone else, I do not know, but it was not in Newcastle’s interest for it to play out in public and they were not the instigators of it doing so.
Last summer there was frustration inside the club that so many targets leaked. My suspicion is that, in many cases, the representatives and selling clubs are putting information out to court further interest and drive up prices, but that is supposition.
Victor Munoz moved to Liverpool without much fanfare (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Surely Tonali will be waiting for a better proposal than Spurs if he truly wants away? — Omar M
Why doesn’t Tonali like us anymore? Alexander Isak to Liverpool or Gordon to Barca, I understand, but Spurs suggests the problem is Newcastle? — Jonathan R
Waugh: Tonali appears to believe his future lies away from Tyneside and there have been some at Newcastle who pretty much accepted an exit would happen in the spring.
Optics-wise, for Newcastle — and to a different extent Tonali — a move to Tottenham would be awful, given they are direct rivals and finished 17th in each of the past two seasons. But if Tonali wants a fresh challenge, to increase his wages and is attracted by the possibility of working Roberto De Zerbi, who is also from Brescia in Italy, then perhaps Spurs is a move he wants to explore, even if Manchester City appears a far more understandable destination.
Evidently, were Tonali to join Spurs, then it would be far more damaging for perceptions of Newcastle than Isak defecting to Liverpool or Gordon joining Barcelona. Until Newcastle can pay higher salaries and boast top-class infrastructure, they are going to struggle to beat an elite club to a potential signing, or prevent them from picking off their best players.
Is everyone available for an appropriate offer or are there certain players who won’t be allowed to leave? — Reggie R
Has Lewis Hall had a fall-out with Howe? Does he want to leave? — Matthew H
Waugh: No, not everyone is available for an appropriate offer — though, with many players, were Newcastle to receive sizeable bids, they may have to consider them. Harvey Barnes is an example of that, as Howe would prefer to keep him but, at 28 and with only two years on his deal, rebuffing big money may prove foolish.
With Hall, Newcastle pushed back strongly against reports the left-back had fallen out with Howe and demanded to leave. Manchester United have been monitoring his situation and the 21-year-old does have admirers across Europe, but Howe wants to add depth at full-back, not lose another.
Newcastle should be all over Folarin Balogun if he’s available. Could Newcastle sign a striker? — Philip R
Is Will Osula a legitimate candidate to be first-choice striker? — Scott V
Waugh: Balogun has impressed at the World Cup with the USA but the Monaco striker is not someone Newcastle are actively pursuing.
Signing a striker is not an immediate priority, with Osula, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa competing for the solitary centre-forward slot. Were one to leave, a striker would be required, though as things stand they are all expected to stay, even if Newcastle have explored if there is a potential market for Wissa.
Osula is heading into 2026-27 as first-choice striker. The 22-year-old still lacks refinement, but his development is obvious and the positive way he finished last season suggests he has earned the opportunity to begin the campaign in the XI.
Could the USA’s Folarin Balogun be a target for Newcastle? (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The future of St James’ Park would’ve been a critical part of any due diligence carried out pre-takeover. What does it say about Newcastle’s leadership that they haven’t been able to make this one decision? — Chris B
The owners should make a decision on the stadium. It appears they’re stalling. At what point do you conclude the new stadium isn’t happening? — Christopher C
Waugh: The frustration and scepticism is entirely fair. Deadlines have come and gone regarding a decision on the stadium — and, as with the failure to start constructing a new training ground yet, players who were sold a vision of top-class infrastructure being built have harboured similar reservations.
David Hopkinson, the CEO, insists Newcastle are “working every day” on the stadium question. He is adamant that, rather than merely conceptualise what may be possible, he is moving Newcastle into a position whereby they have actual options.
Blueprints have been drawn up for various versions of a renovated St James’ Park, and for a state-of-the-art stadium on Leazes Park. The latter has been the preferred choice of several senior figures for a sustained period.
Until any announcement is made and building work actually begins, doubts will rightly persist among fans as to whether it will ever happen. I think it will, but Newcastle are not at the stage whereby they can definitively confirm that.
What is our realistic aim and purpose? Unrealistic nonsense from Hopkinson does not help — Martin W
With significant uncertainty around player recruitment, infrastructure projects, long-term strategy and Newcastle’s overall direction, does the club believe its communication with supporters is fit for purpose? — gary.boon
Waugh: The vacuum of information which June brings has been harmful to Newcastle again and I appreciate why supporters feel they need to hear from the hierarchy. In fairness to Hopkinson, he has spoken regularly since his arrival — even if some supporters have not necessarily always wanted to hear him repeat his bold ‘Vision 2030’ plans when the team is struggling on the field — and did try to lay some groundwork for player sales when the accounts were released.
Yet it may have been beneficial for Ross Wilson, the sporting director, or another senior figure to speak around the end of the season to provide further direct insight into what the summer strategy was going to be. It feels like Newcastle have been playing catch up regarding several narratives once again — including on Tonali’s future and the failure to land Munoz — and that breeds concern among supporters, which leads to further borderline existential questions about the club’s direction.
Hopkinson, and to a lesser degree Wilson, have been far more visible than (some) previous directors, but there is also a happy medium whereby they cannot speak all the time. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Newcastle’s majority owners, have shown no inclination to talk publicly. That is not likely to change, unfortunately.
Many supporters are asking for clear and informative communication and messaging from the club generally right now (evidenced by the volume of questions there were on this subject), given what some see as the disconnect between Newcastle’s stated goals and what they perceive the present reality to be.
