So after six weeks, the World Cup is over, with Spain lifting the trophy after last night’s disappointing final.

Newcastle had six stars on show in the tournament, with a seventh in new signing Bazoumana Toure – but some enjoyed a better time than others.

Who had the best World Cup from the NUFC contingent? Rate them below out of 10.

Newcastle do not want to sell Bruno Guimaraes this summer, but is there a tipping point where they will think again? Or is the Brazilian just too important to Eddie Howe’s side?

The time is fast approachin when James Trafford will make a decision on his future, with his World Cup duties now over.

The Manchester City goalkeeper is a target for Newcastle, but opted to hold off any call over his next move until after he returned from the England camp.

With the Three Lions now back from the US, Trafford is expected to focus on where he will play his football next season.

Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford of England walk out for the warm up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England

Claims this weekend that Newcastle are interested in Man City forward Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian is looking at a possible move this summer.

Teamtalk claims that the striker wants talks over his future with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and ‘Tottenham and Newcastle have both made enquiries about the versatile forward, while there is also significant interest from several Bundesliga clubs, who are keen to bring Marmoush back to Germany.’

Chronicle Live understands that bringing in a new forward is NOT a priority for Newcastle at this point, while Marmoush’s price tag and wages would be difficult if they were interested.

Omar Marmoush has struggled to make an impact at Manchester City this season(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has tried to explain why Newcastle are missing out on signings.

“I can’t speak for the players, but maybe they don’t see Newcastle as a club that’s on the up, as it was, as I think people viewed it a few years back with the Saudi takeover and the money available,” he told BestBettingSites.co.uk.

“Everybody thought, “Oh, they’re going to challenge now consistently for Champions League spot”, and that they’ve fallen away for various reasons.

“So maybe it’s just not as attractive a club as it used to be for these players.”

Ipswich Town have taken a major step forward in their summer recruitment drive by securing a deal for Dutch goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen. The Premier League newcomers have finalised terms with both the player and Volendam to bring the highly rated shot-stopper to Portman Road.

It could mean the end of any interest in Nick Pope. The Newcastle keeper is a boyhood Ipswich fan and had been linked with a move to the Tractor Boys.

Nick Pope could leave Newcastle United this summer(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Hull City have agreed a deal to sign defender Matt Targett on a free transfer after his departure from Newcastle United.

Targett spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, and played in the play-off final defeat to Hull at Wembley. The 30-year-old played 45 times last season for Boro, scoring four goals and claiming four assists, and his arrival is set to be the second of the summer for the Tigers, after goalkeeper Jack Butland.

The experienced defender, 30, is expected to undergo a medical and will join Sergej Jakirovic’s squad for their pre-season training camp in Slovenia, which begins on Monday.

Matt Targett of Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Newcastle United are keen to get their goalkeeper hunt wrapped up quickly as they focus in on one of the key priorities for Ross Wilson and Eddie Howe.

James Trafford remains their No 1 target and the goalkeeper’s latest England snub may help them. Trafford was overlooked for the Bronze Final against France on Saturday night with Dean Henderson getting the nod.

Newcastle will look to get an indication of what Trafford’s transfer plans are now that his World Cup is over. The Man City man didn’t want to discuss his future until the tournament had ended.

Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford of England walk out for the warm up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England

Atalanta midfielder Ederson has put pen to paper on a fresh contract with the Italian outfit. The Brazil international had appeared close to a £38million switch to Man United but will now remain in Serie A.

Newcastle had been linked with making a late move for the Brazilian.

Newcastle United’s transfer policy of targeting young talent from across Europe can pay off spectacularly, or leave them back where they started, according to ex-Magpies star Chris Waddle.

United have signed three youngsters for Eddie Howe’s squad so far this summer, with goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen joined by Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure and Dutch midfielder Sean Steur.

Eighteen-year-old Steur caught the eye after progressing through the ranks at Ajax, with Newcastle paying £23m for the hot prospect.

Johan Manzambi has revealed Champions League football and the opportunity to work under Unai Emery were the key drivers behind why he has chosen to join Aston Villa as opposed to Newcastle United.

Manzambi’s move to Villa Park from Freiburg was confirmed on Friday after it emerged last weekend he had opted to move to Birmingham rather than Tyneside.

As things stand, Newcastle won’t be progressing with a move for Lucas Bergvall.

The player was offered to United by Spurs this week. Tottenham are looking to move on a couple of players after their huge transfer spend, which included paying Newcastle £100m for Sandro Tonali.

Chronicle Live understands that after Spurs suggested Bergvall to the Magpies, there were high level talks between the two clubs where Newcastle intimated the price they’d be willing to pay, which was around the £46m mark. Spurs said they would be looking for more for the 20-year-old and that’s where it stands.

Newcastle have their valuation and must now decide whether to reopen talks, but at the minute there is little appettite. United have other targets and are having to manage their finances very carefully in light of the ongoing UEFA fine issues.

Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham Hotspur

Sean Steur’s move from Ajax to Newcastle United has not gone down well in parts of the Netherlands – and the star’s brother has come out defending the deal.

Steur’s father Johan has been heavily criticised in the Dutch media for his role in the transfer, with the teenager having been expected to sign a new deal with Ajax before the shock move.

Newcastle United should avoid any move for Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford this summer and focus on other transfer priorities.

That’s the verdict of ex-United and England star Chris Waddle, who has been left unimpressed with Rashford’s contribution at the World Cup.

There has been much comment about Bruno Guimaraes’ potential move to Arsenal this summer. The Newcastle captain is believed to have told the club that he would like to explore a move if the Gunners put in an acceptable bid for him.

However, Chronicle Live understands that Arsenal have made NO official approach for the Brazil star. There has been no bid through proper channels, which has surprised the club amid all the talk among intermederias and agents.

Furthermore, Arsenal’s interest appears to have cooled with conversations in and around the Emirates Stadium going quiet over the last week. Whether there could still be some late moves in the window remains to be seen.

Bruno, meanwhile, has been back on social media. He liked an emotional post by Aaron Ramsdale about his time at Newcastle, he also liked a post by Sven Botman saying “New start, let’s go together” – and he has changed his profile picture back from him in a Brazil shirt to one of him and his family in Newcastle kit.

Newcastle have been linked with a surprise move for Atalanta midfelder Ederson after the collpase of his move to Man United.

The claims, by Football Insider, are that Newcastle are interested in the Brazilian midfielder as a replacement for Sandro Tonali.

Man Utd had agreed a £37m deal for Ederson but pulled out of the transfer after a medical issue, instead opting to sign Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Outgoing scouting supremo Steve Nickson is a big fan of Ederson and has flagged him on numerous occasions, however it seems unlikely at this stage that Newcastle would move for the player.

Ederson could stay at Atalanta after concerns over his United medical(Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

Hello and welcome back to our live coverage of Newcastle United’s transfer business.

We’ve got all the Sunday news and views as the Magpies look to bolster their squad as pre-season training continues.

Newcastle United got their pre-season campaign off to a winning start with a 3-0 win over Darlington in a behind closed doors friendly at the KNOX training centre.

Eddie Howe’s side kicked off a hectic pre-season schedule by inviting their north-east neighbours down to their training ground and their Premier League class told against their National League North opponents.

Goals from Joe Willock, Will Osula and Sean Neave earned United a convincing win, with Howe fielding two entirely different sides for each half of the game.

New signing Sean Steur was among a strong starting XI full of senior players that also included youngsters Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy, as well as the likes of Nick Pope and Jacob Murphy, who have been linked with a move away from Tyneside.

And it was Murphy who created the opening goal as his cross from the right-hand side was tucked home from close range by Willock, who has also been linked with an exit this summer.

Willock then won a penalty after being fouled by Darlo defender Ben Hedley and Osula stepped up confidently to slot home the spot-kick to double United’s lead to continue his fine goalscoring form in 2026.

The second half saw a much changed Newcastle side headlined by new goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen but one that was otherwise comprised of youngsters from the club’s under-21 and under-18 sides.

Read the full report, here.

Newcastle United’s Joe Willock impressed against Darlington(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)

Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga caught most people by surprise when he returned to pre-season training at the KNOX training centre on Friday.

Just 17 days after Sweden’s World Cup exit to France in the last 32, Elanga was filmed back on Tyneside doing some individual training work at Newcastle’s training ground.

United head coach Eddie Howe had previously told Chronicle Live that any Newcastle player who featured for their country in the World Cup would be given three weeks off before linking back up with the Magpies ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Going off that theory, Elanga would have been set to return to Newcastle on Tuesday, July 21 but the fact he has returned four days ahead of schedule would suggest he is hungry to kick on in his second season at the club.

Read the full story, here.

Newcastle are in the market for a new goalkeeper and have been linked with a move for Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Rushworth spent last season on loan at Coventry City and talkSPORT are reporting that the 25-year-old’s priority is to return to the Sky Blues on a permanent basis.

The report claims Newcastle contacted his agent over a move but he feels joining Coventry is a better pathway to a move to a Champions League club and an England call-up. Brighton remain reluctant sellers but Rushworth only has one year remaining on his contract and a decision over his future needs to be made.

However, Chronicle Live understands that while Rushworth has been offered to the Magpies – who have also scouted him in the past – the club are yet to reach a stage where they have staged talks.

It appears that Rushworth’s representatives are pushing hard for the player to sign for an established Premier League club and what is also true is that his services have been offered to the Magpies.

Carl Rushworth celebrates with the SkyBet Championship Trophy after Coventry City’s promotion

Newcastle United are one of a number of clubs interested in Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall as he continues to push for an exit from the North London club.

The 20-year-old is not happy with his lack of game-time under Roberto De Zerbi and after the signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes this summer, he is seeking a fresh challenge with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest among the Premier League clubs said to be interested.

Bergvall only joined Spurs two years ago from Djurgarden and in that time has made 78 appearances and was rewarded with a bumper new contract last summer after an impressive first season at the club.

But his 51 minutes across the final six matches of the season only left him further exasperated after a lack of game time last season and after the signings of Tonali and Fernandes were confirmed, Bergvall had reached the point of wanting to further his career elsewhere.

It is an incredible acceleration inside 12 months and while Spurs feel he remains an integral part of their future, Bergvall is said to feel at odds with promises over what his contribution was to the here and now when he penned a new deal a year ago.

And it is that situation that had led to Chronicle Live’s understanding that Bergvall was offered to Newcastle and with the Magpies in the market for a midfielder, the club enquired on a price tag with some numbers suggested. No official bid has been made so far, despite talk of a £46million offer being rejected elsewhere.

Conversations took place between the two boards but Newcastle have not agreed a deal yet. And it is believed that Spurs are happy for it to be known that Bergvall is attracting further interest.

Nottingham Forest are also keen on Bergvall and had a £38m bid turned down by Spurs, who feel they can hold out for £50m. The idea of a bidding war is attractive to Spurs, particularly off the back of a positive World Cup which saw him register an assist in Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia.

Whether Newcastle make their move remains to be seen given they have a number of options they are exploring for a midfielder, including Brazilian international Danilo, of Botafogo.

Nonetheless, Bergvall’s first season, and his undoubted potential, makes him an extremely attractive pick-up for Premier League sides this summer and it is a saga that is expected to rumble on over the next few weeks.

Read the full story, here.

Lucas Bergvall faces an uncertain future(Image: Photo by Stacy Revere – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Four Experts, One Rule: The Newcastle United 21st Century Draft!

Nick Woltemade was pictured training with former club Werder Bremen earlier this week in what are now well documented photos of the Newcastle United forward.

Woltemade is in the middle of some time off after exiting the World Cup with Germany. The 24-year-old made just one appearance for his country in the tournament, coming on as a substitute in their shock last 32 exit to Paraguay.

It is a full circle moment for the Germany international, given it was with Werder that he broke through into the professional game. Woltemade made 51 appearances for the club before he joined Stuttgart on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

Woltemade banged in goals on a regular basis for Werder’s under-19s and became the youngest player to play for their first team when he was handed his debut as a 17-year-old in February 2020.

He smashed in the goals on a loan spell with Elversberg, too, in the 2022/23 season but as he returned for the 2023/24 season with one year left on his contract, he found himself in and out of the side.

He opted to explore the free agency market and joined Stuttgart where in one season, he scored 17 goals, won the DFB Pokal and then ended the campaign as top goalscorer in the under-21 European Championships.

That attracted Newcastle to make a club record £69million move, just a year after Bremen allowed one of their academy graduates to leave the club for free.

Speaking to Chronicle Live last year, BILD’s Werder Bremen reporter Markus Balczuweit said that the Newcastle transfer left Bremen fans feeling ‘angry and desperate’ that a ‘jewel’ produced by their club was seeing a Bundesliga rival profit financially and not them.

“The people in Bremen have all got grey hair over the deal,” Balczuweit said back in September 2025. “Werder is a club that is struggling to compete in the Bundesliga and they don’t have the money they would like to have so to have a player who is now been sold for €81m and let him go for nothing, it is a topic that has left every Werder fan angry and desperate.

“In the eyes of the fans the club has made a mistake and most supporters think they wouldn’t have sold him for that sort of fee but if they sold him for €20-30m it would have helped them to buy new players and be in a better financial position.

“The irony is every summer they try to sell their best players to make some money to reinvest into the club and they have produced a jewel and not been able to make any money out of it. It is not pride but it is more, how can that happen?”

Read the full story, here.

The long-serving goalkeeper is back on Tyneside for the start of the 2026/27 despite a lot of talk on his future.

The 34-year-old has one year left on his contract and has been linked with Ipswich Town, Hull and Leeds, but no official bid was placed for the England international.

Pope returned to training this week and is still listed as No 1 internally, his squad number and locker number at the start of pre-season.

The small hint behind the scenes suggests that Pope remains fully respected and he did not return to any unpleasant surprises.

Back in 2019, Dwight Gayle returned for pre-season from a loan stint with West Brom to discover his No 9 shirt had been taken off him and his locker had been moved down the dressing room to No 12.

But Newcastle are determined that there is more sensitivity in place these days, rather than brutal moments like the Gayle incident, or even worse, when Rob Lee didn’t even get a squad number at all under Ruud Gullit!

Back then, Lee was reinstated and eventually handed squad number 37!

Read the full story, here.

Nick Pope could leave Newcastle United this summer(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

While the focus of the next month has to be on incoming transfers at Newcastle United, fans will keep one nervous eye trained on Burno Guimaraes’ future.

The Brazilian has been the subject of transfer interest from Arsenal, and while no offer or approach as been made by the Gunners’, United will not breathe easily until the window closes with Bruno still a Newcastle player.

After losing Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, United can ill aford to see their midfield playmaker depart. Not only would it deprive them of one of their most creative players, it would also mean a new skipper would be needed.

Newcastle have seen club captains Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier leave in 2026, with the leadership group needing new blood this summer.

So if Bruno was to follow them out of the door, who could step up and wear the armband? Here are some of the potential candidates.

Read the full story, here.

Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United

Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson is in New York for a meeting with the club’s owners across the Atlantic.

The club’s chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, is expected to be in New Jersey this weekend for the World Cup final, with PIF one of the official tournament supporters and their branding emblazoned around venues from Vancouver to Dallas to Mexico City during the tournament.

The catch-up between Hopkinson and the ownership comes with Newcastle’s three signings and two major sales into what will be a busy summer. It has been over three months since Al-Rumayyan sanctioned summer spending and recruitment plans.

PIF are still very much committed to the long haul plan at Newcastle but Hopkinson is leading the club on a day to day business, with the Saudi-backers always keen to have a high-powered and high-driven CEO pushing for opportunities at boardroom level.

Chronicle Live also understands that Hopkinson’s trip will also include meetings with new sponsors KNOX and Adidas plus talks with four prospective new commercial partners.

PIF’s presence at the tournament was fixed up ahead of the 2034 World Cup which takes place in Saudi Arabia.

Mohamed AlSayyad, Head of Corporate Brand at PIF, said: “PIF continues to expand its global footprint in sport, with football at the heart of this growth. This partnership builds on our existing FIFA relationship from last year’s FIFA Club World Cup – and our work with Concacaf – to deliver a positive and lasting impact.

PIF continues to accelerate the growth of football globally by expanding access to the game and creating opportunities that benefit players, fans and the wider football ecosystem.”

Read the full story, here.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and (inset from left) chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and CEO David Hopkinson

Fabian Schar is ‘ready to go’ for Newcastle United’s first friendly of pre-season against Darlington this afternoon at the KNOX.

But the big absentee list will include Bruno Guimaraes, still on holiday after the World Cup, along with Dan Burn, who plays in the bronze medal match against France in Miami for England and £43m new boy Bazoumana Toure is also still on vacation after his efforts in the States with the Ivory Coast.

The Swiss international will get his first taste of action since January, when he went off in the 4-3 win against Leeds United at St James’ Park with an ankle injury. The setback turned into a six-month ordeal with Schar suffering a foot infection and missing the end of the season.

Howe usually fields two XIs for games like this, but his approach for this pre-season remains to be seen and whether it is a leg loosener for next weekend’s game against Gateshead at the International Stadium or an opportunity to set the tone in terms of intensity, by asking players for more than 45 minutes, remains to be seen.

The game will also offer the chance for debut bows for Ewen Jaouen between the sticks and Sean Steur should be ready to make his maiden appearance with the midfielder now three weeks into pre-season after a fortnight with Ajax before his transfer.

Joelinton, Joe Willock, Lewis Hall, Jacob Ramsey, Sven Botman, Alex Murphy, Nick Pope, Mark Gillespie, Harvey Barnes and Will Osula should all be good for minutes after starting pre-season training injury free.

With Tino Livramento picking up an injury with England at the World Cup and going under the knife it remains to be seen when he returns but Leo Shahar is a candidate to play right-back against Darlo. Lewis Miley is back in training after his broken leg but is unlikely to be used as he is eased back into full training first.

As well as Shahar, there could be runouts for academy prospects Sam Alabi, Mason Miley, Rory Finneran, Trevan Sanusi, Dylan Charlton, Anthony Munda, Seung-soo Park and Matheos Ferreira, who have featured in training this week.

Read the full story, here.

Fabian Schär during the first day back to pre season training at The Knox(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)

Renowned Newcastle United talent spotter Steve Nickson remains behind the scenes at Benton – but his exit will be confirmed in due course.

Chronicle Live understands that Nickson is working a notice period after agreeing to leave the club earlier this summer. We broke the story exclusively on June 15 that the ex-Blackburn Rovers scout was set to quit the Magpies after nine years on Tyneside.

Nickson was initially linked with West Ham after expressing an interest in joining the Hammers, and while his final destination is still to be revealed, both Wrexham and Birmingham City have been in the mix for his services.

Nickson was the key man in signings such as £40million star Joelinton and the bargain £33.3m signing of Bruno Guimaraes. But even when he was working with a limited budget under Mike Ashley, he delivered by sourcing talent such as Ayoze Perez from Tenerife for just £1.5m before he was sold to Leicester City for £30m.

But his role in more recent times has changed a little and while he has still be flying around the world looking at targets, a new challenge appears to have been sought by Nickson.

Newcastle are yet to advertise for a replacement for Nickson with sporting director Ross Wilson leading the charge on transfers. Both Wilson and CEO David Hopkinson know there is room for improvement on recruitment but are working 24/7 to get deals done.

Read the full story, here.

Antonio Cordero (R) smiles at the Newcastle United Training Centre alongside transfer chief Steve Nickson

Newcastle United have signed Afner Ca from Levante on a five-year deal as the club continue to improve their development ranks.

The 19-year-old has been described as an academy signing to Chronicle Live, and will link up with United’s reserve team ranks. The Guinea-Bissau forward stands at 6ft 4in, and will be one to watch when the Under-21 season kicks off.

Ca is one of a number of youth signings made this summer and has signed a five-year contract, with Newcastle giving him time to develop and work his way through the ranks.

Ca spent time at Amora Under-19s before joining Levante, but left the Spanish club this summer, with Newcastle now moving in for his signature.

The striker, who can also operate as a right winger, scored 14 goals in 27 appearances with Amora to catch Levante’s eye.