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Newcastle United have been dealt another transfer blow, according to reports in Germany.

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Leading German outlet Sport Bild linked Newcastle United with a move for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, who is understood to be available for a transfer this summer.

Leipzig missed out on European qualification and Simons is keen to join a Champions League club ahead of the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands.

Simons has scored five goals in 25 appearances for his country, including one in the Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to England almost exactly a year ago. He also completed a permanent move to Leipzig last summer and went on to score 11 goals in 33 appearances for the German club.

The 22-year-old is valued at £60million by Leipzig though Bild claim a lower offer could be accepted with the player having just two years left on his current deal.

Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been credited with an interest from sources in Germany but no formal moves have been made.

Now fresh reports claim Simons has made his feelings on a move to Newcastle clear.

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Newcastle United suffer fresh transfer rejection

Bild have shut down their own story after initially linking Simons with Newcastle, only to now report that the Dutchman has no interest in joining the Premier League club.

Newcastle were said to be interested in the attacking midfielder, who can play down either flank or through the middle. His preference is to play a central role or drift out to the left and cut inside.

Newcastle may not be Simons’ preferred choice but a move to the Premier League could still be on the cards with Spurs keeping tabs on the situation.

Xavi Simons transfer concerns

While Simons is a proven talent in Europe with potential to grow at just 22, there are some concerns as he looks to leave Leipzig just a year after joining the club permanently.

Despite his young age, Simons has struggled to settle at three separate big European clubs in recent seasons. He progressed through Paris Saint-Germain’s academy before joining PSV Eindhoven. A successful spell back in his home country saw PSG trigger a buy-back clause, but quickly loaned Simons out to Leipzig.

The loan was made permanent after a solid season, but now Simons is looking to make what would technically be his fifth transfer move since 2022. PSG to PSV in 2022, PSG to PSV in 2023, PSG to Leipzig on loan in 2023, PSG to Leipzig permanently in 2024 and now a Leipzig exit in 2025.

Simons will need some stability and the right club to flourish. Although Newcastle have been excellent in keeping hold of key players in recent seasons and helping them progress, the Dutchman has reportedly decided that it’s not the environment for him.

Newcastle are still looking to make a breakthrough in the transfer market after several rejections so far this summer.

Goalkeeper James Trafford is the only senior player who has agreed to join the club so far, Anthony Elanga is also understood to be open to joining but both moves are subject to Newcastle agreeing transfer fees with Burnley and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Newcastle United will face stiff competition if they want to get a deal for Mohammed Kudus over the line this summer.

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Kudus is reportedly on Newcastle United’s three-man shortlist as alternatives to Anthony Elanga, should a move for the Nottingham Forest man not be feasible this summer. Elanga is regarded as Newcastle’s top target to strengthen their options at right-wing, but they remain apart in negotiations with Forest over his price.

A £45m offer was swiftly rejected last week as the Magpies ponder their next move in the transfer market. They could go back in for Elanga, up their offer and hope that is accepted by Forest.

Or, they could move onto other options. Kudus, along with PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko and Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund, has been listed as a potential option instead of Elanga this summer.

Kudus has long been admired by the Magpies and was extensively linked with a move to St James’ Park back in 2023 before his switch to the London Stadium. Newcastle instead moved to sign Harvey Barnes from Leicester City, whilst West Ham paid Ajax close to £40m for the Ghanaian international.

A fee of almost double that may be required to tempt the Hammers into selling Kudus this summer and whilst Newcastle United have been linked with a move, they are far from the only team interested in his signature. Chelsea, who have swooped to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton, have been credited with an interest in him, as have Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur ‘interested’ in Mohammed Kudus transfer

According to the Telegraph, Spurs are prepared to end an ‘unofficial transfer ban’ on signing players from West Ham to land Kudus this summer and have listed him as a ‘priority target’. It has been over a decade and a half since a player switched the Hammers for Spurs, when former Magpies man Scott Parker crossed the divide, and the two clubs haven’t done business with each other since then.

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However, Spurs will end that should they make Kudus one of Thomas Frank’s major signings of his first summer in charge. Spurs and Newcastle, though, will still have to contend with competition from Stamford Bridge for Kudus this summer, despite the imminent arrival of Pedro and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.

Both Pedro and Gittens can play out wide, but the Blues’ lavish spending seems set to continue and Kudus is a player of interest. Newcastle United, meanwhile, will be desperate not to see another reported transfer target snub a move to the north east in favour of joining the Blues having already seen Pedro and Liam Delap before him make such a decision.

Amongst all of this, however, is a player in Kudus that has impressed in the Premier League during his time in England, although his struggles last season may be a slight concern for any interested club this summer. Kudus, much like many of his Hammers teammates, underwhelmed under both Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter last season as he registered just five Premier League goals in 32 appearances.

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Newcastle United are assessing their options after having a £45million transfer bid for Anthony Elanga rejected by Nottingham Forest.

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According to The Athletic, Newcastle submitted an initial £45million bid for Elanga on Tuesday morning but it was swiftly rejected by Forest.

There was also no counter offer by Forest, who are said to have no intention of selling the winger this summer.

The 23-year-old played a key role in Nottingham Forest’s seventh-place finish in the Premier League, which saw them qualify for the Conference League. Elanga contributed six goals and 11 assists in 38 league appearances.

But after seeing their initial transfer bid rejected, Newcastle are now weighing up their options when it comes to their next move in the transfer market.

Newcastle United assess Anthony Elanga alternatives after rejected bid

The Athletic report suggests that Newcastle could still make another bid for Elanga, but are also assessing alternative options in the Premier League.

The report adds AFC Bournemouth winger Antonie Semenyo has ‘featured heavily in discussions’ as an option. Again, Semenyo won’t come cheap with the 25-year-old scoring 11 and assisting five for The Cherries in the Premier League last term.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with Semenyo this summer and made an enquiry for the winger last week. However, Thomas Frank’s side have reportedly cooled their interest after Bournemouth set a £65million asking price for the English-born Ghana international.

While that gives Newcastle the opportunity to swoop in and hijack a deal, the sort of money mentioned would require the club to break their current transfer record which was set back in 2022 with the £63million purchase of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022.

Spurs are also looking to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford but face stiff competition from Manchester United, who have recently tabled an improved bid. Mbeumo has also been targeted by Newcastle but the winger’s wage demands saw them turn their attention to Elanga instead.

What is clear is that Newcastle will have to pay a premium if they want to sign a current Premier League proven winger this summer. With the club also targeting big-money deals for James Trafford and Joao Pedro, they will have to manage their spending accordingly.

West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus is available to buy this summer but is another player who won’t come cheap despite a disappointing season at the London Stadium.

Newcastle have made signing a right winger a priority this summer, having sold Miguel Almiron to Atlanta United at the start of the year.

Newcastle United to look further afield

It’s a summer that promised so much for Newcastle but has so far delivered little. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted there was money to invest into his squad, predicting a ‘big summer’ for the club.

The added bonus and financial benefits of Champions League qualification have only increased the expectation surrounding transfers.

But so far, Newcastle have been hit with significant asking prices for Premier League players who have barely stepped foot in the Champions League or competed at the very top level.

Rather than overpaying, better value for money could be found on the continent as Newcastle previously found out with the signings of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali.

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Former Newcastle United captain Scott Parker has been linked with a surprise Premier League move.

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Parker has previously managed Fulham and AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League and has now returned after guiding Burnley to promotion from the Championship.

But the 44-year-old could soon be getting on the managerial merry-go-round ahead of the 2025/26 season with Brentford set to be looking for a new manager. Long-serving Bees boss Thomas Frank has been heavily linked with the vacant head coach position at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs relieved Ange Postecoglou of his duties after guiding Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years and qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. But a dismal domestic performance which saw the side finish 17th in the Premier League table proved costly to the Australian.

And Spurs are understood to have lined up Frank as Postecoglou’s replacement. And that leaves Brentford with some big shoes to fill.

Fabrizio Romano provides key Spurs & Brentford update

Frank led Brentford to the Premier League and has since helped the West London outfit establish themselves as a top flight side despite losing key players such as Christian Eriksen, David Raya and likely Bryan Mbeumo in successive seasons.

While Parker’s Premier League record lists one relegation with Fulham and a dismissal from Bournemouth less than a month into the season, his record at Burnley in the Championship is impressive. After replacing Vincent Kompany last summer, Parker guided The Clarets straight back to the top flight, earning 100 points and conceding just 16 goals.

Despite the remarkable record, Burnley still finished second in the table behind Leeds United.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Parker is on a three-man shortlist to replace Frank at Brentford.

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Romano tweeted: “Brentford add Scott Parker to three-man shortlist of candidates being considered to replace Thomas Frank.

“Burnley coach happy at the club while Brentford are also exploring this possibility. Frank will leave and become new Tottenham manager.”

Parker captained Newcastle and made 73 appearances for the club between 2005 and 2007. The former England midfielder was also linked with replacing Postecoglou at Spurs, another of his former clubs.

Newcastle United in talks with Burnley

As Brentford look at Burnley’s manager, Newcastle United are looking at the newly-promoted side’s goalkeeper.

The Magpies are in talks over the potential signing of James Trafford, whom they attempted to sign last summer but were unable to agree a fee.

Eddie Howe’s side could face difficulty in that regard once again with the 22-year-old’s valuation almost doubling over the last 12 months. Burnley are understood to value Trafford at around the £40million mark after his impressive season in the Championship.

It would make Trafford, who is still largely unproven at top-flight level, the fifth most expensive goalkeeper of all time. If a deal is agreed, the young shot-stopper would arrive at Newcastle without the guarantee of first-team football.

The plan for Trafford would be for him to compete with Nick Pope for the starting spot as Newcastle prepare to return to Champions League football and compete on four fronts once again.

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Newcastle United could effectively secure Champions League qualification without kicking a ball this weekend.

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The Friday night matches between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur as well as Chelsea and Manchester United mean Newcastle’s Champions League qualification status could already be secured by the time they kick-off against Arsenal on Sunday (4:30pm kick-off).

Villa and Chelsea are currently three points behind Newcastle with two games remaining in the Premier League season. While Newcastle can’t drop out of the top five this weekend, wins for both Chelsea and Villa on Friday night would certainly put the pressure on ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Villa host Spurs (7:30pm kick-off), knowing a win would take them into the Champions League places for this weekend at least due to Manchester City being in FA Cup final action against Crystal Palace and not returning to Premier League action until Tuesday.

Fifth-placed Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge (8:15pm kick-off). A win for Chelsea would take them above Man City and up to fourth in the Premier League table, while a win by five goals would see them move into third ahead of Newcastle United ahead of Sunday.

Regardless of what happens elsewhere, a win for Newcastle in their final two games against Arsenal or Everton would be enough to secure Champions League football. But if results go their way, they may have already done enough.

Newcastle United could secure Champions League qualification on Friday - here’s how

The Magpies’ 2-0 win over Chelsea last Sunday saw them move three points clear inside the Champions League places and up to third in the table.

As Newcastle sit three points ahead of both Chelsea and Aston Villa in the table with two games remaining, they will secure Champions League football if both teams lose their matches tonight.

Even a Villa loss and a draw for Chelsea against Manchester United would be enough to secure Champions League for Newcastle as Chelsea face seventh-placed Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.

A defeat for Villa against Spurs, would leave them three points behind Newcastle with one game left to play. While Villa could close the points gap, it would be almost impossible for them to overturn a significant goal difference swing in a single game.

Historically, matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United would be viewed as tough match-ups for Villa and Chelsea. But with Spurs and Man United sitting 17th and 16th in the Premier League table while also reaching the Europa League final, tonight is a slightly different story with Villa and Chelsea going into both games as favourites.

Neither team can get relegated from the Premier League, yet both can still qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. The final takes place in Bilbao on May 21 (8pm kick-off).

Eddie Howe insists job is not done for NUFC

Looking ahead to the weekend’s fixtures and Newcastle’s favourable position in the battle for Champions League qualification, head coach Eddie Howe was keen not to get ahead of himself.

“No, it's not done,” Howe said. “And I think the picture can change game to game. That's what we've got to be really focused on is just our next game and trying to win it, which we will do.

“I think the preparation has been good. The focus has been there from the players. I think the outside noise will always be swayed by how you've done and it's positive but nothing's achieved until it's achieved.

“So we have to be really single-minded in that and not get distracted.”

Newcastle United transfer target Jonathan David has named one league he won’t be joining this summer amid Premier League interest.

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The 25-year-old striker is set to become a free agent when he leave Ligue 1 side Lille this summer.

David has scored 109 goals in 230 games for the French club, including 25 goals in 46 games across all competitions this season.

The Canadian’s eye for goal and his impressive fitness record make him a sought-after striker for clubs across Europe this summer. But he has already named his preferred destination, and it has now been claimed that another has been ruled out.

Jonathan David set to leave Lille & Ligue 1 this summer

David confirmed in a recent interview that he will not be signing a new deal at Lille and will become a free agent in the summer.

“Yes, I will be free at the end of the season,” David said. “As for my future, I hope to grow, become a better player and play for the biggest clubs in the world, if I can. Do you want any clues about my future?

“You will all know in due time, that is at the end of the season. I will not comment before then. First of all, I want to finish this season well, the end looks exciting and I want to play well and help the team. And when the season is over, the decision will be made and announced.”

And a fresh report from Le 10 Sport claims David has no intention of staying in France amid interest from current second-placed side Marseille. So that at least rules out Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain and the 15 other Ligue 1 sides from signing David this summer.

Newcastle have scouted David this season with the view to a potential summer transfer. But the face stiff competition from clubs across Europe, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also linked.

But neither would be his ‘preferred’ move.

Jonathan David names ‘preferred’ transfer destination

Despite interest from Newcastle and other Premier League, David claims his preferred move would be to Spain to play in La Liga.

“I think I can adapt to every league,” he told The Overlap. “Every league has its differences. The Premier League is a lot faster and more physical than all of the other leagues.”

“For me, I grew up watching a lot of La Liga and for me, that would be my preferred league. That is the league that I enjoyed watching the most so one day I would like to play there. Will that happen? I don’t know. We’ll see what the future takes us.”

Jonathan David to compete with Alexander Isak at NUFC?

With Newcastle set to keep Alexander Isak at the club this summer, David would not be a guaranteed starter if he were to sign. The 25-year-old would be viewed as a challenger to Isak and a potential replacement for Callum Wilson.

While that weakens Newcastle hand, the club will be looking to strengthen their attacking options this summer and become a more attractive destination by qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

With three games left to play, Newcastle currently sit fourth in the table, two points inside the Champions League places.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has commented on the battle for Champions League qualification in the Premier League.

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Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League and can’t qualify for any European competition based on league position alone.

But they could still qualify for next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa League. Postecoglou’s side have reached the Europa League semi-final where they will face Norweigan side Bodo/Glimt over two legs.

The winner of the tie will then face either Manchester United or Athletic Club in the final.

Tottenham finished fifth in Postecoglou’s first season in charge but missed out on Champions League qualification due to the performance of Premier League clubs in European competitions. This season, English clubs have been much stronger on the whole, which has granted an extra Champions League spot based on the recently introduced UEFA coefficient rules.

The Premier League battle for Champions League qualification

Spurs’ 4-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday confirmed the Premier League title, while Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Ipswich Town confirmed all three relegated sides, leaving just the battle for European qualification.

Arsenal are seven points inside the Champions League places and set to qualify but only two points separate Newcastle in third and Nottingham Forest in sixth with four games left to play. The Magpies are third on 62 points, Manchester City are fourth on 61 and Chelsea are fifth on 60 points.

Forest sit sixth on 60 points but have a game in hand on the teams around them. Aston Villa still have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League but will have to close a three-point gap in their final four games.

Villa recently turned down Spurs’ request to move their Premier League match from May 18 to May 15 to give them extra time to prepare for a potential Europa League final.

Ange Postecoglou’s spiky comments about Champions League battle

While Spurs could still make it six English club’s in next season’s Champions League, Postecoglou was typically spiky when commenting on the race for Europe in the Premier League.

"I love the frenzy around finishing fifth this year,” Postecoglou said with a hint of sarcasm. “They’re all brilliant, aren’t they?

“We finished fifth last year. Why is it such a disaster that we finished fifth? That’s what you need to ask everyone and yourselves… around this time last year, I was asked to lose a game, and I was wrong for wanting to win it.

"But we finished fifth last year, yet it's not a good story. A better story is my tenure has been a disaster and it continues to be.

“I just think that the kind of hysteria that is surrounding what’s happening at the moment is all premeditated for a certain outcome."

Last season, Postecoglou claimed he was asked to lose Spurs’ match against Manchester City to help deny rivals Arsenal the Premier League title. Spurs lost the game 2-0 and City ended up winning the title ahead of Arsenal.

This season, history has somewhat repeated itself with Spurs losing 4-1 to Liverpool to mathematically deny Arsenal the title with four games left to play.

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A former Newcastle United captain has been linked with a move to Spurs as speculation over Ange Postecoglou’s future continues.

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Newcastle United will meet a familiar face when the 2025/26 Premier League season gets underway after Burnley secured promotion back into the top flight earlier this week.

Two goals from club captain Josh Brownhill helped the Clarets to a 2-1 home win against promotion rivals Sheffield United to ensure the Turf Moor club returned to the Premier League at the first attempt after suffering relegation into the Championship 12 months ago. Magpies supporters will have kept a close eye on Burnley’s progress after United were routinely linked with Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford throughout the season and their interest is believed to remain alive despite their successful push for promotion.

However, there is another reason for Newcastle fans to show a keen interest in events at Turf Moor after former Magpies club captain Scott Parker masterminded Burnley’s march back into the top flight this season. The former England midfielder was a £6.5m signing during the summer of 2005 and was named as United skipper following the retirement of Alan Shearer 12 months later. Parker made over 70 appearances during a two-year stay at St James Park before going on to spend time with Fulham, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Parker has now been linked with a return to the latter of that trio as speculation over the future of current Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou continues to dominate the headlines. The former Celtic boss has been unable to make a major impact during his time in North London and his side currently sit in sixteenth place in the Premier League table. Recent speculation has suggested Postecoglou could leave his role with Spurs even if he is able to guide his side to success in this season’s Europa League as they prepare for a semi-final meeting with FK Bodo/Glimt.

Parker’s success with Burnley has reportedly put the former Newcastle skipper in the frame to succeed Postecoglou at Spurs - and the Clarets boss has now addressed speculation as his side prepare for one last push to pip Leeds United to the Championship title this weekend.

What has Scott Parker said about speculation linking him with Tottenham Hotspur?

When asked about the speculation, Parker told the Burnley Express: “I think at the moment I've got one single focus and that's Burnley and that's us and what we've done this year. That's exactly where my focus is. Football brings around rumours and constant things like that. But I’m absolutely fully, fully focused on what we're doing here and what we've done here and finishing off this season, really.

“It would mean everything [to win the title] and that's our aim now. We've ticked one box and that box was to get out of this division and back into the Premier League, where this club deserves to be and these players deserve to be. The next one now is can we tick another one and try and become champions of this division really? That's the sole aim now.”

The race for Champions League qualification took a fresh twist on Monday night as two former Newcastle United players stole the headlines.

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Newcastle United’s weekend went from bad to worse on Monday night when Nottingham Forest triumphed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Nuno Espirito’s side started the day in sixth place, but ended it in third after a 2-1 win over Spurs.

The fixture schedule meant that Forest could only watch on at the weekend as Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa all won to strengthen their hopes of Champions League qualification. Newcastle United, who were hammered at Villa Park on Saturday evening, were the only side in the top seven of the Premier League to not collect three points.

Although their Champions League destiny is still in their hands, the same can be said for every other side in the race. Two of the three relegation places have already been sorted, with the other potentially sealed at the weekend should Ipswich Town fail to win at St James’ Park or West Ham avoid defeat against Brighton.

The title race could also be finalised by the end of this weekend with Liverpool knowing that a win against Spurs on Sunday evening will see them lift their second ever Premier League trophy. The Reds could even be confirmed as champions as early as Wednesday night should they be defeated by Crystal Palace.

All of this means that, heading into the final few weeks of the season, all eyes are on the race for European places. And after a disappointing weekend of results, Newcastle United need to respond. Fast.

Ex-Newcastle United duo deliver hammer blow

Forest’s win on Monday night was watched on keenly from Tyneside with hopes that Ange Postecoglou’s side could do them a favour. Those hopes were dashed inside 17 minutes as Forest took a 2-0 lead.

And of course, the irony of football gods ensured that it would be goals from Chris Wood and Elliot Anderson that helped Forest to one of their most important Premier League wins of the season. The former Newcastle United duo have enjoyed a very good season at the City Ground and have played a pivotal role in helping the Tricky Trees into European contention.

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Wood’s goal in north London was his 19th of the season - 14 more than he managed during his year on Tyneside. After spending most of his time in the north east behind both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak in the pecking order, the decision to sell the New Zealand international in 2023 was a difficult one, but one that allowed them to recoup a decent sum of money that could go towards future transfers.

Anderson, meanwhile, was sold to ensure they did not fall foul of PSR and to avoid a points deduction. The pair raised around £50m for the Magpies, but their goals and performances this season could cost their former club millions if Forest pip them to the Champions League.

Newcastle earned just-shy of £30m for their participation in the 2023/24 Champions League and, due to a revamped format, will net a sum significantly higher than that if they qualify for it again. Villa, for comparison, earned around £80m from their run to the quarter-finals this season.

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Newcastle United’s pre-season plans are starting to take shape after a Hong Kong U-turn.

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A return to the Premier League Summer Series in America had also previously been mooted before Newcastle tried to line up a trip to Hong Kong that would involve playing at the new Kai Tak Stadium this summer.

The plans failed to materialise and instead, it was confirmed that Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan would be travelling over as part of the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 (HKFF).

As a result, it was back to the drawing board for Newcastle. But the club’s plans are finally starting to take shape.

Newcastle United’s pre-season plans

Sky Sports revealed the Newcastle will be returning to Asia to travel to Singapore and South Korea as part of a ‘lucrative’ pre-season tour. The Magpies visited Japan last summer to play two pre-season friendly matches against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Newcastle will also have a pre-season training camp in Europe this summer with a return to Adidas HQ mooted before jetting out to Asia in late July.

Mail Online have reported that Newcastle are in talks to organise a pre-season friendly against Spurs in South Korean capital, Seoul. Tottenham captain and South Korea international Son Heung-Min’s presence would likely attract a sold-out crowd of 66,704 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The report adds that there is a ‘strong possibility’ the match will receive the green light to go ahead and Newcastle will likely play another game in Korea against an ‘All-Star XI’. In addition, they will play one friendly in Singapore, with Arsenal reported to be in contention to face Eddie Howe’s side.

Newcastle and Spurs previously played in a controversial post-season friendly in Australia last May. Newcastle won the game on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

NUFC looking to secure Champions League football

In addition to pre-season, Newcastle will be on their travels plenty next season with European football already confirmed. The Magpies will be competing in at least the Conference League next season after winning the Carabao Cup.

But Eddie Howe and the club’s ambitions are to achieve more and qualify for the Champions League with nine matches left to play in the Premier League. UEFA rules mean that fifth place in the Premier League is highly likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League group phase.

It would be the first time a side finishing fifth in the Premier League has qualified for the Champions League on league position alone.

Eddie Howe stresses the importance of Champions League qualification

While Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win gave fans and players memories to last a lifetime, there was actually very little financial reward for the club. In comparison, just competing in the Champions League can earn clubs substantial sums.

Newcastle pocketed in excess of £30million for competing in the Champions League in 2023-24 while Aston Villa are understood to have made over £75million after progressing to the quarter-final under the new competition format.

“There's no doubting the power of Champions League football,” Howe said. “It could be game-changing in terms of revenue and also in terms of what it means and the competition, and then of course the changes that you have to make to be ready for Champions League football.

“That changes everything, as we found last year to our cost to some degree with the extra games, so there's a lot to think about.

“But for us, qualifying for that is going to be very, very difficult. There are, as we know, 10 games, there are a lot of teams competing for those places. It's one of the tightest Premier Leagues that we've seen in recent times, very little between the teams competing fr those places, so it's going to come down to who is the most consistent.

“Of course, we want that to be us and in those 10 games, we are going to have to give everything to get there.”