Newcastle United signed two strikers, a £55m winger, new midfielder, centre-back and goalkeeper over the summer, yet discussions will continue behind the scenes to ensure Eddie Howe’s squad continues to evolve.
One area up for discussion over the past few months is our midfield, with Joelinton’s limitations on the ball a topic of conversation and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson linked with an expensive return to his boyhood club.
However, reports this week suggest Newcastle have an overseas option in mind, with big Joe’s place in Howe’s best XI no longer as secure as it once was a season or two ago.
This comes from The iPaper’s Mark Douglas, who reveals that Newcastle chiefs spent part of the summer discussing the need to construct a Joelinton ‘succession plan’, factoring in his age (29) and iffy injury history over the past two years.
As a result, it’s emerged that Newcastle have pondered a move for Atlanta star Ederson, with Douglas noting that the 26-year-old’s name was brought up in recruitment meetings.
Chief scout Steve Nickson is a long-term admirer of Ederson, who offers some of the physical traits of Joelinton but greater technical ability, being able to play in a holding role or in that No.8 position.
It remains to be seen if Newcastle do follow up on that interest, but the Brazilian may be one to watch in 2026, especially now he’s been linked with a Premier League move for some time after a number of impressive seasons in Italy.
Serie A has also been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle recently, with a £90m double deal for Sandro Tonali and Malick Thiaw – both from AC Milan – appearing superb business when you consider Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey cost marginally more in the domestic market.