NUFC Blog

Newcastle are back in Premier League action this Saturday, taking on a new-look Tottenham side who looked very much like last season's Spurs just a week ago.

We arrive following a 2-2 draw against Liverpool and 3-2 victory over West Brom in the Carabao Cup, while Spurs followed last weekend's 3-0 bashing away to Brentford with a 5-1 win over Charlton in midweek.

Last season, Eddie Howe's United picked up just 17 points from 19 away games. It was a huge reason behind our 12th-place finish, with us often looking fragile, disjointed and too easy to play against away from St James' Park.

So far, the signs have been positive in two home games under Jaissle, who has just been boosted by the £50m arrival of Nico Gonzalez, but it will be fascinating to see how we tackle a Spurs side looking to bounce back and arrive boosted from a double swoop for Man City's Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

Who starts?

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hornicek - Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall - Gonzalez, Miley - Elanga, Willock, Barnes - Wissa.

The back five seems set for now. Dedic has been outstanding so far, Botman has stepped up after a poor pre-season, Burn remains out for another few weeks and this one will come too soon for Livramento, who will do well to win his spot back at this rate.

In midfield, Steur is a class act who oozes class, however, physicality and freshness could help against a busy trio of Tonali, Bergvall and Gallagher, meaning Nico might just come into the side alongside Miley.

The front four then picks itself on current form. Elanga over Murphy in hope he'll build on last Sunday's goal, Willock over Woltemade in the No.10 role, Barnes over Toure after Wednesday's brace, and Wissa up top now Osula is out with a footy injury.

Who wins?

Spurs will be looking to Savinho and Marmoush for that new-signing lift, especially as last Saturday's front three of Richarlison, Tel and Moore looked stale at Brentford.

Jaissle will also be hoping for new blood to make an immediate impact, with Gonzalez pushing to come straight into the side following a few days' training.

I was tempted to predict another 2-2 draw, but I'm hopeful Nico could help inspire us to a tight yet precious away win in the capital.

Prediction: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle

Howay the lads!

Thursday-night press conferences. Another small change in the post-Howe era.

Matthias Jaissle held his Tottenham briefing at 6.30pm on Thursday, rather than the Friday-morning slot we became used to under Eddie Howe. It came less than 24 hours after Wednesday’s 3-2 Carabao Cup win over West Brom, but the important update was on Nico Gonzalez.

The new signing has trained with his teammates and could make his Newcastle debut during Saturday’s 5.30pm trip to Tottenham.

“Nico has trained with us, he looks sharp. He is an option for Saturday.

“He is a smart guy, with huge potential. He has a lot of qualities. He will adapt fast into our squad.”

Nico is available, but there will be no change of plan

Jaissle gave no indication whether our new number six is being considered for a start or a place on the bench. The only confirmed point is that, just days after completing his move from Manchester City, the 24-year-old is in contention.

That is a timely boost for a midfield still being rebuilt, particularly against a Spurs side Jaissle described as a “top team”.

The German insists Newcastle will not suddenly retreat or abandon the football he is trying to introduce.

“We will not change our approach. We are facing a really strong opponent. With our playing style, we can cause any opponents problems.”

There were rough edges in the encouraging 2-2 draw with Liverpool and again against West Brom, but the identity is already visible. Newcastle have played with energy, attacked quickly and looked committed to Jaissle’s ideas.

He again warned that a young squad will have “ups and downs”, while saying the players’ commitment in training gives him something “special to build on”.

That feels like sensible expectation management rather than excuse-making. There will be mistakes, but the first two competitive performances have given Jaissle genuine encouragement.

Focus on our lads, not Tonali

Saturday also brings Newcastle’s first meeting with Sandro Tonali since his £100m move to Tottenham.

“It is always nice to face old team-mates, so there should at least be special motivation. That worked against Isak already, so hopefully it will work for us on Saturday.”

When asked whether he would encourage a hostile reception from the travelling Mags, Jaissle refused to stir it.

“I would love we have many, many supporters behind us in London.

“That’s the most important thing, focusing on our lads and bringing that energy on the pitch.”

Tonali left with an emotional goodbye to Newcastle, in very different circumstances to Isak. There may still be a few boos because football fans are football fans, but the useful noise is the kind that helps Newcastle.

Jaissle has spent his opening weeks talking about the connection between supporters and players. He felt it at St James’ Park against Liverpool and West Brom. Now he wants the away end to bring it to London.

Newcastle United may have secured Amar Dedic, vastly improving our depth in both full-back positions, but there is still a LOT to do between now and September 1st.

Midfield is a key area of focus, not only to add some leadership and steel, but a natural No.10 who can fit into Matthias Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 system.

On the subject of midfielders, Newcastle have previously made a move for Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall, seeing a £46m offer knocked back last month.

A month on, his name remains in the mix heading into the final fortnight of summer, alongside recently linked Nicolas Seiwald.

Bergvall remains one to watch

As reported by The Mail, Newcastle remain in the mix to sign Spurs talent Lucas Bergvall in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

Simon Jones claims that Newcastle's interest has not gone away, with the club considering their options despite holding talks over Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha.

The Mail reports that Newcastle had previously been quoted over £50m for the Swedish international, with enquiries taking place while Sandro Tonali's move to North London was being finalised.

However, Nottingham Forest are also 'expected to make another offer' for the 20-year-old, with Oliver Glasner's side still on the lookout for an Elliott Anderson replacement.

A big talent, but what about leadership?

Newcastle's current pool of midfielders includes an 18-year-old Sean Steur, along with 20-year-old duo Aladji Bamba and Lewis Miley.

We are missing Bruno Guimaraes' experience, character and quality, and no longer have leaders Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles in the camp, so this final central midfield signing feels more likely to be a big character who can communicate on and off the pitch and rally the troops.

Bergvall would bring more energy, the ability to burst forward with the ball and add zip to our side, but he doesn't fill that leadership vacuum that clearly exists in the current squad.

Another transfer link, and this time it’s a striker? It doesn’t feel like what we need right now, but we’ve been told an attacker is wanted, so here we are.

Now, a name that’s been linked before has come up again. Folarin Balogun, who had a good World Cup for the USA and according to L'Équipe, Tottenham have moved in the last few hours and laid the foundations for a €60m deal for the Monaco striker.

Where Newcastle come into this, however, is that we are one of the clubs said to be “closely interested.” And we have historic interest under Howe, if previous reports are to be believed.

Balogun link returns

L'Équipe reports that Tottenham have "laid the foundations" for talks with Monaco over a roughly £50m deal for Balogun.

At this point, Newcastle’s link seems there mostly because we’ve held an interest before, although they claim we are still in the mix.

With the move now progressing, you would assume someone at Newcastle would be alerted to the situation.

The fee is on the heavy side, and Newcastle don’t feel like they have the space to carry a fourth striker right now. Unless something is set to change on that front very soon.

From a playstyle point of view, Balogun makes sense. He’s mobile, can press, and runs in behind. He had a good season last year, 19 goals in all competitions, with 13 coming from Ligue 1. Any fee will also be inflated, with Arsenal having a sell-on clause of close to 17.5%.

As with any player who has performed well at the World Cup, we’ll be paying a premium for the privilege. It once again feels like a deal with Newcastle’s name attached to it, rather than a deal that could happen. But it’s a link to a position we are looking at.

The striker situation

Whether we want to admit it or not, Newcastle has a striker problem. Wissa has looked sharp, but he’s coming off the back of a horrific season. Osula had a purple patch, and he’s shown flashes of brilliance, but also frustration.

The giraffe in the room is Nick Woltemade. To speak personally, I love him; I think his character about the team is great, and he seems like a lovely lad. But has it worked out so far? Not really. Does he seem like a player that will work for Jaissle? Not really.

Jaissle has already said his position against Valencia is Woltemade’s best, which means Newcastle only have two strikers at the club. But is Nick the best we have in the 10 role? Lewis Miley showed he can deliver a pass in tight spaces last season (once for Nick), but the club probably needs to sign a real “10” to fit Jaissle’s system.

Based on that, Balogun makes some lick of sense, but it feels like it doesn’t happen unless either Osula is sold, or Woltemade is. Right now, 50m+ for a striker doesn’t seem like the deal we need to do.

Newcastle United have recently been linked with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall.

Following the move of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle to Tottenham, along with the arrival of Mateus Fernandes, Bergvall has put in a transfer request at Spurs.

The Sweden international fears his game time is going to be drastically reduced at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and, as such as requested to be allowed to seek a move elsewhere.

Newcastle United are thought to be keen on the 20-year-old, ironically, as a replacement for Sandro Tonali, and reports surfaced recently of a £46 million bid.

Nottingham Forest leading the way for Bergvall

However, the Magpies face competition from Nottingham Forest, who are very keen to land the £50 million-rated player.

Journalist Alasdair Gold, who covers Tottenham, believes that if given the choice, Bergvall would prefer the move to the City Ground, saying on his YouTube channel that he's more likely to get regular game time there.

Gold doesn't rule Newcastle out of the race completely, though.

"Forest is his preference because he would get more game time there, but I'm sure he would also jump at the chance to play for Newcastle."

Bergvall would get plenty of game time at Newcastle

Bergvall could look at the career trajectory of Elliot Anderson since his switch from Newcastle to Nottingham Forest to inform his decision, but things have changed so much at St James' Park that it wouldn't be a fair comparison.

Anderson had to compete with Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali for a place in Newcastle's midfield, but Tonali has gone, Bruno is wavering, and there are now reports that Joelinton is being offered to Saudi Arabian clubs.

Lucas Bergvall proved he has what it takes to be a regular starter in the Premier League last season, and we feel that if Newcastle were to go ahead with a move for the 20-year-old, then he'd be given plenty of first-team football at Newcastle, just as much as he's likely to at Forest.

Let's hope we haven't given up already.

Newcastle United are said to be tracking Tottenham Hotspur and Sweden star Lucas Bergvall.

The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as a target for Newcastle after allowing Sandro Tonali to go the other way for the best part of £100 million.

It was Tonali's arrival at Tottenham that prompted the Sweden international to inform Spurs that he would like the opportunity to move elsewhere this summer.

Tottenham were initially keen to keep the promising youngster and have already rejected approaches from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, with other unnamed clubs also interested.

Newcastle make bid for Lucas Bergvall

On Friday evening, The Athletic's David Ornstein claimed that Spurs had rejected a £46 million bid for Bergvall from Newcastle, claiming that the bid was higher than the one placed by Nottingham Forest that was also rejected by Spurs.

Meanwhile, Lee Ryder posted on X later on Friday night that due to the huge financial outlay Spurs have made already this summer, they are now looking to recoup some money and have offered Bergvall to Newcastle.

"#THFC financial situation understood to have changed after splashing out on Sandro Tonali. #NUFC were offered Lucas Bergvall by Spurs as they look to drum up funds and enquired on a price.

“Interest but no deal done yet. High level talks have taken place. Newcastle working on other deals too."

Meanwhile, Keith Downie has come right down the middle of the two claims, confirming that the two clubs have held talks as well as making reference to Spurs' spending this summer, causing them to look to sell players. Downie believes £50 million could see Bergvall move.

Newcastle could be prepared to meet Spurs' demands

Newcastle were willing to spend £50 million on Johan Manzambi, who has since confirmed his move to Aston Villa for almost £60 million, so it actually cost them more to land the Swiss star than Newcastle almost got him for.

If they were willing to go to £50 for Manzambi then we expect they'll break their £20m-£40m bracket for Bergvall.

The Swede was a standout for Tottenham last season. He looked hungry, full of energy and while still a bit rough around the edges, he's certainly first-team ready. Eddie Howe can definitely get the best out of him. We hope this one happens.

Sandro Tonali is clearly keen to get his move to Tottenham Hotspur done and dusted.

The Italian midfielder has finally been confirmed as a Tottenham Hotspur player after three years at Newcastle United, which came to an end thanks to a £100 million switch to North London.

Tonali arrived at Newcastle for £55 million three years ago, and shortly into his time on Tyneside, he was embroiled in a betting scandal from his time at AC Milan, which ultimately saw him banned from football for 10 months.

Newcastle stuck by him during this period, and Tonali repaid that faith by having a fantastic season when he returned, becoming a standout player for the Magpies while being hailed by pundits as being part of one of the best midfields in the Premier League alongside Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton.

Sandro Tonali sends an emotional message to the Toon Army

Unfortunately, Tonali wasn't able to replicate that form last season as Newcastle struggled for form; however, he'd already proven himself to suitors, and Tottenham Hotspur felt that a £100 million fee was justified. Before either club had actually officially confirmed the move, Sandro Tonali has taken to Instagram to say goodbye to the Toon Army.

“Three years ago I came to Newcastle not really knowing what to expect. Today it's time to say goodbye and it's hard to find the right words.

“I want to start by thanking the club. To the people who work every day and nobody sees at the training ground, everyone who welcomed me and made me feel at home from the very first day. Thank you to the staff and my teammates for believing in me and helping me grow. A special mention to the gaffer, Eddie, who's been a real guiding figure and who always had my back throughout this journey.

“But above all, I want to speak directly to the fans. When things were hard for me, you were there. Not for one day did I feel alone. I felt it every time I was at St James' Park. That's something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Together, we achieved something this city had been waiting decades for. At Wembley that day, it was special, a historic moment we got to share together. To the fans who never stopped believing, who never stopped cheering for this club, who were there in the hardest times, that trophy was for you. The game brought me to Newcastle.

“Today I leave with my wife and our son, born during my time here. This city gave me more than football. It gave me a home, moments I'll hold onto forever, and people I will always be grateful for.

Thank you for everything.

Sandro.”

A classy message from a classy guy

That's how you leave a football club. Unlike a certain someone who left last year for even more money, who barely even waved as he walked out the door for the final time.

It's going to be hard seeing Sandro at another Premier League side, especially if he can recapture the form he showed in the 2024/25 season. Tottenham are Newcastle's second opponents in the new season, so we don't have to wait long to see them again.

As long as he doesn't come back to haunt us, we wish Sandro all the best on his new venture.

Newcastle United fans are under no illusions as to why Sandro Tonali is heading to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The Magpies are set to bag £100 million for the sale of the Italian midfielder, and while there are obviously some who are questioning the 26-year-old's sanity, many of us know exactly what's going on.

It seems strange that Tonali would leave Newcastle for a team that has finished 17th the last two seasons and was absolutely woeful last season, but you don't have to look far to see the reasons why he's done it.

First up is money. Spurs were ready to throw everything at Tonali to ensure he went there over Manchester City or Arsenal. They have doubled his wages, and the signing-on fees for him and his agent won't have been too bad either.

Players want to be in London

However, as much as we hate this reason and we think it's overused in the media, there is some truth to it. London is a draw for players, especially foreign players. That's what John Barnes feels was the big reason behind Tonali's switch, as he told BetFred (via The Chronicle).

"Except for Liverpool and Manchester United, it’s always been the same, for years and years and years, players playing anywhere north of Birmingham want to move to London.

"As much as Newcastle United are doing better than Tottenham, there are foreign players who would rather live in London.

“Foreign players don’t have an allegiance to anywhere in England, even though a move to Liverpool or Manchester United is a bit different, so if a club from London comes calling, then they’re going to go.

"When people wonder why this move could happen, it’s nothing to do with football.”

London calling? Tell them I'm outside breathing in fresh air!

There was always a feeling that the call of London was going to be too strong for Tonali, but more specifically, his wife, who opted to give birth to their first child in a London hospital.

Milan to Newcastle is quite a culture shift, and while the pair seemed to love it initially, they clearly miss the glitz and glamour of a big city. I personally couldn't think of anything worse, which is why this whole "London" excuse is so sickening to me.

I guess when money is no object, living in a huge city isn't so bad.

This London thing is going to haunt Newcastle forever, and it's something that needs to be built into the club's sales pitch when recruiting players. Bigging up Newcastle as a city, but also stating how easy it is to get to London on days off. Until that is, Newcastle becomes a draw like Manchester or Liverpool.

Sandro Tonali hasn't even put pen to paper on his deal taking him from Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur, and there's already talk about his next club.

Much like how, when Tonali arrived at Newcastle, talk immediately started about a potential return to AC Milan, those very same rumours have started for Spurs.

The Italian media were so devastated to see their prodigal son leave their country that they'd do anything they could to create a narrative that he was coming home.

Rumours about homesickness started before Sandro had even left Newcastle airport, and the constant links to Milan and Juventus never stopped.

Tonali is already eyeing a move to AC Milan

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio spoke to Tonali at Milan airport on Thursday as the 26-year-old headed for London to undergo his Spurs medical and sign his bumper contract.

In the interview, Tonali mentioned how he was looking forward to the challenge and working with Robert De Zerbi, but he also mentioned returning to Milan.

“There are always rumors about it… we always joke about it”.

“But if one day there’s a chance [to return to AC Milan], we’ll seriously talk about that”.

Tonali was never going to Tottenham for the football

It seems that the Italian always has one eye on his next move. There weren't many people who felt that this move was for footballing reasons, and this really doesn't help the case.

Tonali is doubling his wages and moving to London. That was the goal here. He's not going to a better team. He is going to a bigger club; there's no denying that. They have that Big Six protection that we don't, but Spurs are definitely not better.

This isn't us laughing through bitter tears, either; we genuinely feel for Spurs fans reading these quotes as your first impression of your new, £100 million signing. It hardly inspires confidence.

Oh well. At least it's not our problem anymore.

Mark this day in your calendars. Thursday 2nd July 2026 is the day that NUFC Blog agreed with talkSPORT's Gabby Agbonlahor.

It's not often we, or indeed any Newcastle United fan, care for anything former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has to say, but he has gone on an epic, emotional rant about the fairness around the Premier League and UEFA's financial restrictions that was absolutely spot on.

Both Newcastle and Villa have just been hit with fines from UEFA for breaching their financial regulations. Newcastle got off lightly compared to Villa, who got hit for the second season in a row.

We spoke about the fact that your reward for achieving domestically is a punishment from abroad, making it hardly worth trying to do well.

Gabby Agbonlahor is spot on for once

After Tottenham Hotspur finished 17th in the Premier League for two seasons in a row, they have spent nearly £250 million already this summer and aren't done yet, while Newcastle and Villa are getting punished for trying to improve.

Gabby Agbonlahor took to talkSPORT to point out how this cannot be fair. Co-host Andy Goldstein, whose job it is to provide a counter-argument for the clicks, tried to give the other side of the argument but just made himself look silly because what Gabby was saying was spot on.

"Spurs have finished 17th two seasons in a row. How can they go and spend £52m on (Jan Paul) Van Hecke, Tonali will be £100m, Fernandes will be £85m, Free transfers for (Andy) Robertson and (Marcos) Senesi. Big big wages on all five of those players and then teams like Aston Villa who have just won the Europa League are getting fined £90m. It's a joke!

"How can clubs like Villa get to the next level? What's the point? The rules are terrible.

"It's that bias. That so-called top six bias. Clubs like Aston Villa and Newcastle can't buy anyone."

We don't care that Spurs can spend. We care that Newcastle can't.

It's not that Gabby, or anyone else, has a problem with Tottenham spending the money they are, it's their money, do what you want, it's the fact that Newcastle and Aston Villa can't spend that money. They have it. Their owners have it. They could spend it without going into debt. FFP was brought in to prevent clubs from going too far into debt, and we appreciate that, but our clubs wouldn't if our owners were allowed to fund the club.

Goldstein's argument that if they sold the club, the new owners may not be able to handle the bills is absolutely ludicrous. What businessman would buy an asset they couldn't afford to run? At the very least, they'd ensure that all debts and liabilities were sorted before they put their name on it.

Every time something like this comes up it just becomes more and more clear what FFP/PSR/SCR was designed to do and how well it does it. It's the big organisations protecting their cash cows and keeping everyone else in line by artificial means.