Chronicle Live

The North London side could look to rival Newcastle for a transfer target

Tottenham are considering cashing in on captain Son Heung-min in order to help finance their summer transfer business. Spurs have been linked with a move for Newcastle United target Marc Guehi, but could need to move players on before making serious investments.

Ange Postecoglou's side qualified for the Champions League after winning the Europa League, but ended the Premier League season in 17th place, on 38 points. The North London club are set for a major summer rebuild, and have reportedly identified Crystal Palace's Guehi as a key target.

Newcastle are thought to be keen on resurrecting a deal for the England defender after failing in their attempts to bring him to St James' Park 12 months ago. Guehi is out of contract next summer and the Eagles could finally part with the 24-year-old, with a £50m asking price reported.

Spurs could lose centre-back Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid, and want Guehi as a long-term partner for Dutch defender Micky van de Ven. Ironically, United are in the same boat, with Eddie Howe keen to find a right-sided defender to play along Sven Botman.

Newcastle have transfer funds available to them this summer, but have limited options when it comes to raising extra funds though player sales and, as have been illustrated by Bryan Mbeumo, won't pay over the odds when it comes to wages.

Son has been a stalwart for Tottenham, making 454 appearances for the club over the last 10 years. However, he is now 32 and his contract is up at the end of next season, prompting Spurs to consider a big transfer decision in the coming weeks.

The South Korean international has notched 173 goals and contributed 101 assists but there have been question marks over his contribution last season, with Postecoglou's side losing 22 times in the Premier League. The Telegraph report they would be open to a deal, with interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Guehi is a man in demand this summer, with interest from Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea. The defender has been left out of the current England squad after fracturing his eye socket in Crystal Palace's FA Cup Final win over Manchester City.

Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.

Manchester United are set to square off against Chelsea, while Spurs gear up for a clash with Aston Villa in rescheduled Premier League matches tonight. However, these Friday night fixtures, shifted to ensure both clubs have equal and extended rest before the pivotal Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night, contravene a promise made by the Football Association regarding the FA Cup final.

Crystal Palace are due to meet Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, but the FA had previously stated when outlining plans for this season's cup that not only would the final occur "on an exclusive Saturday" but there would be no top-tier matches the night prior "to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event".

Yet, Spurs' trip to Villa, who expressed discontent over the game's rescheduling, is now slated to commence at 7:30pm on Friday, followed by Chelsea versus United at 8:15pm. Both Friday night games were originally scheduled to coincide with other Premier League matches on Sunday.

Palace and City were only informed of their Wembley meeting's kick-off time a mere fortnight before the match, following lengthy discussions involving broadcasters. Nonetheless, the 4:30pm start should afford fans travelling from Manchester ample time to reach Euston station for their return journeys, reports the Mirror.

The FA has confirmed scheduling alterations for this season's Cup, announcing last year: "The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day. Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event."

Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are keen to avoid any new injuries, with managers Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou likely to opt for a changed lineup. Tottenham's skipper Heung-min Son is set to get some much-needed game time at Villa Park after a month sidelined with a foot injury, having made a comeback against Crystal Palace the previous weekend.

However, several pivotal players might find themselves starting from the bench as attentions shift to the upcoming Bilbao match, where not only is significant silverware at stake but also a spot in the next season's Champions League, bringing with it substantial financial rewards.

Ange Postecoglou has vowed to pick a team that will 'do its best' to beat Aston Villa as the Spurs boss hit back at those who have questioned his side's 'integrity'.

Aston Villa could move level on points with third-placed Newcastle United if Unai Emery's team defeat struggling Spurs on Friday night and the Villains go into the game as overwhelming favourites. Although Spurs have reached the Europa League final, the Londoners find find themselves just one place above the relegation places following a solitary win in their last 10 top-flight fixtures.

It is clear where Spurs' priorities lie ahead of next week's showpiece in Bilbao after Postecoglou recently lost Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall to injury. Postecoglou, tellingly, made eight changes to that side that defeated Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League when Spurs faced Crystal Palace last week and it would be a surprise if the Australian did not ring the changes once again at Villa Park. However, Postecoglou maintained he will field a side that can get a result.

"We're certainly going to go out there and try and win the game and put out a team that, hopefully, gets that job done," the Spurs boss told reporters. "I'm not sure about the integrity.

"There have been times this year where we have had to field weakened teams because of injury. Does that affect the integrity?

"People are thinking that there is some sort of competitive balance that exists. That doesn't exist over the course of a season.

"I'd be very surprised if people are questioning our integrity to try and win a game of football. I'll put the team out that I think will do its best to win a game of football."

Newcastle will just be focusing on themselves, of course. In fact, one more victory should be enough for Newcastle to qualify for the Champions League given Aston Villa's vastly inferior goal difference and the fact Nottingham Forest cannot better the Magpies' points total if Eddie Howe's side win another game.

Newcastle United have opened up a sizeable gap on Spurs in the table - but the Lilywhites' latest financial results serve as a reminder of the gap the Magpies still have to bridge off it.

There are obvious caveats when comparing Newcastle to a London club, of course, but Spurs brought in £105.8m in match receipts last season, which was more than double what the black-and-whites did (£50.1m) in the same period. Spurs also generated £255.2m in commercial revenue, including third-party events, visitor attractions and conferences, with the help of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium whereas Newcastle raised less than a third of that figure (£83.6m) despite huge growth.

It is worth stressing that Newcastle have started from a much lower base following years of stagnation in the Ashley era; commercial income shockingly fell from £27.6m when the billionaire bought the club in 2007 to £26.5m a decade-and-a-half later. Newcastle have 'effectively got to run an extra lap behind everyone else', as a result, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Whether Newcastle decide to transform St James' Park or to build a new ground not too far away, clearly, the stadium is going to be crucial to the club's prospects of turbocharging revenues in a PSR world - just as it has for Spurs as chairman Daniel Levy explained.

"Since opening our new stadium in April, 2019, we have invested over £700million net in player acquisitions," he wrote in his chairman's statement. "Recruitment remains a key focus and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.

"I often read calls for us to spend more given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world. However, a closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long-term and within our operating revenues.

"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club - indeed, our off-pitch revenues have significantly supplemented the lower football revenues this year, testament to our diversified income strategy."

Newcastle remain committed to consultation over a potential new stadium and club chiefs have insisted that no decisions have been made as of yet. The club have maintained throughout the process that they will fully update fans when they are in a position to communicate.

While a decision and any future stadium developments are made, Newcastle will look to continue to boost revenues and Eddie Howe has admitted that trading will be the 'most important' short-term PSR solution.

Former Sunderland and Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes that Sunderland wonderkid Jobe Bellingham will be snapped up by a Premier League giant if the Black Cats don’t secure promotion this season.

Bellingham has been watched by a number of clubs in recent months. Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Crystal Palace have all been linked with the midfielder, as have German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking to 10bet, McAteer praised the England youth international's progress this season under Regis Le Bris, lauding him for taking on the challenge of trying to follow in the footsteps of his superstar brother, Jude.

How far can Bellingham go? Can he rival his brother’s achievements over the long term?

McAteer commented: “He’s grabbed himself a few goals and he’s played about 28 games this season. For a 19-year-old to play that amount of times in the Championship where it’s a very difficult league, he’s learning a lot from being in that division.

“Having played there, I know what he’s going through. It’s very difficult to live in the shadow of Jude Bellingham. The golden boy of English football playing for Real Madrid. He’s an absolute star – to try and follow in his footsteps is very difficult.

“The family are very grounded and level-headed. He comes from a great background. He’s at the right football club and it’s a brilliant football club.

“It's an amazing fan base. A great place to live. They’re in fourth in the table and there is still a chance they could actually go up automatically. And that fan base will get behind them. You can only imagine if Sunderland don’t go up then I think the big boys will come knocking next season.”

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman spoke last month about Sunderland not entertaining winter transfer window bids for Bellingham and fellow youngster Chris Rigg. The duo continue to cause heads to turn despite some inconsistencies in Sunderland's play of late.

Speakman said: He added: “Often not enough is made of being able to retain talent. In January there’s lots of competitors and teams who lose talent in the window. Our ownership has been really firm on the fact we are trying to retain and build. That often means you are making difficult decisions in turning offers and opportunities down."

Wilson Isidor's Sunderland form is not going unnoticed as he continues to push Sunderland towards potential Premier League promotion.

The 24-year-old striker has taken the Championship by storm this season. Having originally landed on Wearside on loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg, Isidor then completed a permanent move to the Black Cats in the January transfer window for a fee believed to be around £3million.

That already looks like an absolute steal by Kristjaan Speakman & Co. Isidor has hit 12 goals this season to help propel Sunderland to the fringes of automatic promotion and is starting to get attention from elsewhere.

The Frenchman was watched by a handful of scouts, including from Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, on Monday night against Leeds United at Elland Road. The scouts were taking a keen interest in a number of Sunderland's players, including Jobe Bellingham, but are understood to have been particularly impressed by Isidor's performance.

The frontman led the line expertly, and scored a great solo goal to give Sunderland the lead. Isidor latched on to a through ball in the right-hand channel, helpd off Ethan Ampadu and spun beyond him before dispatching a clinical left-footed shot in off the post.

It was the highlight of another strong performance by the player, who has shown all the attributes to be a complete striker. He has an eye for goal, works hard and is capable of holding the ball up and running into the channels.

Unfortunately, his superb strike wasn't enough to beat Leeds, as the home side came back strong in the second half and won the game thanks to two late goals from Pascal Struijk via set-pieces. It was a bitter blow for Sunderland, who could have jumped into third spot and within four points of Leeds with victory.

The blow to their automatic promotion hopes will be softened if they beat Hull City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Isidor took to social media after the game to urge his team forward with so much still to play for this season. He posted: "The road is still long… Stay together, WE ARE SUNDERLAND"

Sunderland's ability to hold on to some of their key players could be determined by whether they get promoted or not this season. The likes of Isidor, Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Tommy Watson have all been scouted by Premier League sides as Regis Le Bris' young guns continue to impress.

The Black cats seem nailed on for a play-off spot at least, but will still be hoping to make the top two and achieve automatic promotion.

Sunderland's game against Hull on Saturday is a 12:30pm kick-off. Before that, third-placed Burnley are at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night before the top two - Leeds and Sheffield United - meet in a huge Yorkshire derby on Monday night.

Ally McCoist believes Sunderland can still get promoted to the Premier League - and that it is their best chance of keeping hold of Jobe Bellingham.

McCoits, now one of the game's premier pundits, had a spell at Sunderland early in his career. The Scottish striker played on Wearside between 1982-83 and has retained a soft spot for the club ever since.

He went on to become one of Scotland's greatest goalscorers, but regularly checks in on his old club to catch their games. And McCoist believes the Black Cats can reach the Premier League despite stiff competition from Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United.

Sunderland host Luton Town tonight and Bellingham is expected to return to the side after injury. The midfielder has been in great form again this season, and Sunderland resisted any approaches for him in the transfer window as they continue to build a squad capable of reaching the top flight.

McCoist was asked whether Bellingham is destined to leave the club in the summer should they miss out on promotion. He replied: “Sadly for my fellow Mackems, I think so. He’s been great. I watch their games every week and he’s been great.

"They [Sunderland] have been fabulous. I’m not ruling out automatic promotion, I’m really not.

“The league is one of my favourites in world football because it’s relentless. A lot of respect for the players and teams in that league. I think Sunderland have still got a chance of automatic promotion.

"I think such is the form of Jobe, it will be very difficult to knock back any concrete and acceptable offers that come in.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been the latest club to be linked with Bellingham, who also attracted attention from Crystal Palace, West Ham and German giants Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side have an obvious link, given his brother Jude moved there from Birmingham City, before going on to Real Madrid.

When asked if a similar move to Germany could work for the Sunderland midfielder, McCoist added: “You look at that club and it ticks so many boxes in so many ways.

“Regardless of the fact his brother was there, and we know how successful he was, put that to one side and it’s still potentially a brilliant move. They are a great club, amazing fan base, great pedigree of being successful, as good a pedigree as anyone at bringing young players through. It would make sense.”

Toon fans braved the icy conditions and took a trip down south on Saturday as Newcastle United took on Tottenham Hotspur.

And it was certainly worth the trip as the Magpies continued their stellar form and beat Spurs 1-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Eddie Howe's side had won five on the bounce in all competitions, keeping four consecutive clean sheets in the process. They visited a Spurs side majorly depleted with a host of injuries, one big suspension and a bug spreading through the camp.

The win certainly warmed up the travelling fans in London and everyone was in good spirits as the final whistle blew. Here are 25 pictures of Toon fans celebrating Saturday's win:

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Newcastle United will brave the storms this weekend as they travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looking to continue their stellar form of recent weeks.

Eddie Howe's side have won five on the bounce in all competitions, keeping four consecutive clean sheets in the process. They visit a Spurs side majorly depleted with a host of injuries, one big suspension and a bug spreading through the camp.

Newcastle are poised to bring Sven Botman in after the Dutchman's recovery from an ACL injury, with Howe facing a tough decision as to who starts alongside Fabian Schar on the right-side of central defence.

We'll bring you all the build up, early team news, live match coverage and post-match analysis right here throughout the morning and afternoon so stick with us.

Key Events

Newcastle team news!11:15

Under way in the capital

Right let's keep this fine form going, eh Newcastle?

We're off and running in North London.

Kick-off moments away

Players in the tunnel, Tuchel in the stands, Seven Nation Army blasting out over the speakers and kick-off moments away!

He's back!

What a sight that is...

Conditions pitchside

I've just been pitchside and it's 1 °C down there! The likes of Les Ferdinand, Tim Sherwood and Alan Shearer all wrapped up as they prepare for pundit duties.

Newcastle wearing their maroon and blue hoops today! Fond memories of a David Ginola goal at the old White Hart Lane in those colours for fans.

Martin Dubravka: 'It couldn't be better here'

I feel great, the Newcastle United goalkeeper told TNT Sports. We have had a couple of good results. We have momentum so I feel great.

It's not only about the clean sheets, but we are playing well, we are playing entertaining football, creating chances, scoring goals. It couldn't be better here.

A gentle reminder

A 5-0 win today [not out of the question, by the way] will see Newcastle jump from 5th to 4th in the Premier League.....

Two local lads

Geordie royalty in attendance in the capital...

Eddie Howe explains Sven Botman decision

Delighted to have him back, the Newcastle United boss told TNT Sports. He's an outstanding player. When we lost him last year, that was a really bleak moment for us because we had injuries in quite a lot of positions and then we lost him and he was our stalwart at the back.

He's worked incredibly hard. He's gone through a long road to get back. He's done a lot of training. He's played games. I think he's ready to play. It's always a difficult decision because you have to leave other players out, but I think Sven deserves to play.

This Spurs team....

Son and Maddison benched, Austin making his PL debut in between the sticks and key men ruled out through injury, illness or suspension. Safe to say confidence is high for Newcastle - but what about from Spurs' side?......

"Couldn't have less interest in today's game. That isn't the Spurs team. That's the Vietnam summer tour XI with 11 changes at halftime."

"Just really really bad. Hopefully they perform but could take an absolute battering today"

"Why has this game not been postponed?!"

Alexander Isak and Co will be licking their lips

What a game for Spurs' third-choice goalkeeper, Brandon Austin, to make his competitive first-team debut for the club in.

Injuries, illness and suspensions have ripped through this Spurs side and it is a very different XI to the one which lined up at St James' Park back in September. Remarkably, Pedro Porro and Radu Dragusin are the only survivors from the back five (goalkeeper and defenders) that started that day.

Given the form Newcastle's rapid front three are in - Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy have been directly involved in 19 goals in their last five games - they will surely be licking their lips.

Botman returns!

The full story as Eddie Howe throws the Dutchman in from the outset.

Read it here

Tottenham team news

Wow. A heavily depleted Tottenham squad, hit with injuries, suspension and illnes...

Spurs XI: Austin, Porro, Drăgușin, Gray, Spence, Sarr, Bergvall, Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner, Solanke

Subs: Whiteman, Reguilón, Dorrington, Hardy, Bissouma, Maddison, Olusesi, Son, Lankshear

A huge boost for Newcastle United

It says a lot about the condition Sven Botman is in and the qualities he has that Eddie Howe has thrown the Newcastle United defender in from the off in a game of this magnitude - nearly a year after the Dutchman's last first-team appearance.

Botman's return from injury is a huge boost for Newcastle - potentially the closest thing the Magpies will have to the cliched 'new signing' this month - and this will enable the centre-back to bed back in ahead of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at Arsenal.

Newcastle subs

NUFC bench: Vlachodimos, Trippier, Barnes, Osula, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley

Newcastle team news!

NUFC XI: Dubravka, Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton; Gordon, Murphy, Isak.

This feels like a real opportunity for Newcastle United

There looks set to be some big-name absences in the Spurs side when the team sheets drop - and that is before you factor in how a sickness bug has ripped through the camp. That's why this feels like a real opportunity for Newcastle United.

The Magpies are flying at the moment as Eddie Howe's team look to lay down another marker against a member of the established order on the road following Monday night's win at Old Trafford.

Newcastle last won here when the black-and-whites qualified for the Champions League a couple of seasons ago. They could underline their credentials once again today.

Ange Postecoglou tribute to Eddie Howe in programme

Ange Postecoglou has endured his fair share of critics in recent weeks with Spurs all over the place defensively.

Postecoglou says: "Eddie has done an outstanding job since taking over in 2021. Taking them from a relegation battle to the Champions League.

"As one of the Premier League's form teams, we know how much of a threat Newcastle will pose. We played well at St James' Park back in August and felt that on another day we could have been coming away from the North-East with three points."

Botman returns?

Newcastle United star Sven Botman could be about to return from the start for the Magpies this afternoon.

The Dutchman, who last featured competively in March, is fit and raring to go after behind closed doors games and one run out for the under-21 side.

With Fabian Schar suspended, don't be surpised to see him thrown back in this afternoon.

Mood in the Press room ahead of the game

It's a plush Press room here at Spurs and on the menu today is hot coffee and eggs benedict! There's a real anticipation for an entertaining match in the air given the defensive woes of Spurs and attacking successes of Newcastle.

As I walked into the room today, I was greeted by one of the greatest Entertainers of them all: Sir Les Ferdinand. Obviously, the former number 9 has had a foot in both camps but loved his time on Tyneside, so maybe he will take a high-scoring draw!

Also on media duty today is former Newcastle and England defender Stuart Pearce for Talksport. It's a bit of an A-Z of 90s footballers in the room with Italia 90 star Paul Parker, ex-Aston Villa skipper Andy Townsend and BBC Newcastle's John Anderson all here.

Lee Ryder's preview

This has been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle over the years...

A miserable day in the capital

Hopefully Newcastle can brighten their day with three points...

Travel chaos

You can follow live updates here as Newcastle United fans face major delays after an incident on the train lines.

NUFC notes

A bumper edition this morning!

Martin Dubravka opens up on his future

Three first-team stars set for contract talks

Kevin Keegan's open invite at Newcastle United

Read it all here

In-form Newcastle United will face a Tottenham side struggling for confidence as they get their 2025 under way in North London on Saturday lunchtime - but with manager Ange Postecoglou adamant they are close to getting things right.

While United signed off 2024 with a strong 2-0 victory at Manchester United to extend their winning run to five games, Spurs were left frustrated by a 2-2 home draw with Wolves. The result left Tottenham in the bottom half of the table at the halfway stage, the same number of points away from the relegation places as they are the top four.

The pressure is beginning to build on Postecoglou, although a crippling injury crisis has given the Australian a valid reason as to why they are failing to match last season's success. And as they look to welcome Newcastle to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he sounded a defiant note on their future ambitions.

“It’s still fairly tight," he said. "I just feel that at some point we’ll get a relatively healthy squad and when we do that, we’ll be able to perform at a high level consistently. We’ve already shown this year we can beat anyone.

"There’s a chance there you can go on a run, but at the moment that’s secondary to the first bit. I can see how hard they’re trying and if we were at our sharpest, we would have got that third goal and maybe a fourth (against Wolves).

“I mean we were inches away at times from getting the goal we needed and I think we’re just lacking a little bit of that dynamic movement that we need. A lot of these guys, they’re finding some form of energy to still be out there trying, but you know we’re certainly not as sharp as we can be.”

Spurs will take full advantage of a rare free midweek to give the players some rest and relaxation, something which is not often possible durning a season with European football - and it's something Postecoglou feels will make a difference.

“It was always planned," he said of the break. "We kind of knew this is the first week where we don’t have a midweek game, so I think the whole group probably needs a couple of days just to get away from everything and recover."