Newcastle United

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We asked for your views on the best ways to honour the late Kevin Keegan, who passed away earlier this week.

Here are some of your comments:

Nicholas: Should be a statue and maybe name a stand after him.

Mr Elk: So sad, my Dad took me to his final game at St James' Park, I still have the Auf Weidersehn Kev programme. He will always be remembered as King Kev, surely a monumental sculpture would be nothing less than fitting.

Keith: There needs to be a lasting tribute to King Kev at St James' Park, the man was an absolute legend and there will never be another era at the club that sees such access to management and players. Build him a fitting statue alongside Sir Bobby and Shearer.

Michael: I would love to see a statue of him next to Sir Bobby Robson because he deserves it. Thanks for five wonderful years. RIP.

Arthur: Naming a stand after Kevin would be a great gesture, but I also think a statue near Sir Bobby and Alan Shearer's statues would be greatly appreciated throughout the whole of Geordieland.

Sandra: I think a fitting tribute to King Kev would be a statue outside the main entrance at St James' Park or a Kevin Keegan Stand within the stadium. He did a lot for Newcastle and should be remembered accordingly.

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New signing Aladji Bamba says he is "excited to test" himself in a new league after penning a five-year contract with Newcastle United.

The 20-year-old, who only made his professional debut at Monaco last season, has completed a move for a fee which could rise to £34m.

"I was very excited when I heard Newcastle were interested in signing me," Bamba said. "I know about the history of the club and I've visited the stadium already, which is amazing.

"I can't wait to be on the pitch there and I hope to have some great times with the fans. I'm excited to test myself in a new league, the biggest league in the world.

"I learned a lot last season and now I feel ready for this opportunity. I will give my all for this club."

Among Ligue 1 midfielders who played at least 500 minutes last season, Bamba ranked in the top five for duels won (9.1 per game on average), tackles (3.6), successful take-ons (1.6) and aerial duels won (1.9).

He becomes the club's fourth senior signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur.

Head coach Eddie Howe added: "He is another exciting, young signing who we are really looking forward to working with.

"He adds depth and a range of qualities to our midfield options, with huge potential for growth. His development since breaking through at Monaco has been really impressive and something we believe we can help him build on."

How do you feel about this signing? Which player would you like to see Newcastle targeting next?

Get in touch with your views here

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Newcastle United's move for Aladji Bamba underlines a marked shift in transfer strategy for the Magpies.

It is certainly hard to imagine the club spending £55m on a 29-year-old again like they did when they signed forward Yoane Wissa from Brentford last summer.

Instead, Newcastle have targeted players aged 20 and under on the continent this time around.

Bamba, like Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure, will need time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League - and it is worth stressing the 20-year-old Frenchman has made only 12 competitive starts for Monaco.

But Newcastle have to take calculated risks this summer before such talents become potentially out of reach.

Just like Newcastle's £23m move for Steur, negotiations were carried out discreetly by all parties involved. News that an agreement had been reached arrived only when Bamba was on his way to Tyneside.

Further reinforcements are needed, but Newcastle are set to complete their fourth signing of the summer.

By contrast, at this stage of a particularly turbulent window a year ago, the club had brought in only Anthony Elanga.

Despite the imminent new midfield signing, one fan, Dave, told BBC Radio Newcastle he is frustrated by a perceived lack of incoming transfers at St James' Park, arguing that is it the defence and goalkeeping department that make him "concerned about next season".

Watch the clip below for more of the chat on BBC Radio Newcastle...

Explore all Newcastle content on BBC Sounds and subscribe to stay up to date

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Newcastle have released their away kit for the 2026-27 season.

The club said on X that the kit is "inspired by the city" and the castle that "stands by the strength of its foundations".

The shirt uses an alternate badge, which features a castle and a magpie, a nod to the club and city's roots.

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Newcastle United and Liverpool are in discussions over a tribute to Kevin Keegan before their Premier League season opener on Sunday, 23 August (16:30 BST).

Keegan, who scored 28 goals and contributed 13 assists in his final season as a player at St James' Park, died at the age of 75 this week.

In a club statement, external, Newcastle United confirmed they are in communication with Liverpool "to ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game".

The club added that they will "work closely" with its supporter groups and the Premier League to shape any tributes.

Not only did England international Keegan spend two seasons as a player on Tyneside, he also returned as manager 10 years later.

Newcastle United have already announced its men's, women's and under-21 teams will wear black armbands during their pre-season matches to honour their club legend.

A minute's silence will be observed before Eddie Howe's side take on Gateshead this Saturday, while Keegan's photo will be displayed in the seventh minute of their fixtures against Bristol City, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg on 15 and 16 August.

The club has also confirmed plans to consult Keegan's family around a permanent tribute.

If you could pick a permanent tribute to Keegan, what would it be?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked you to give us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want Newcastle to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Here are some of your comments:

Joe: Time for Nick Pope to move on. Obvious replacement would be James Trafford, who we seem to be linked with every six six months, so it would be nice to see that actually materialise.

Gabe: Sell Joe Willock before he goes on a free next year. Buy Harvey Elliott. We need some Premier League experience. He's versatile and hungry and might be a bargain option compared with others on the market this window.

Richard: As much as I love the guy, and I've stuck up for him in the past, I feel the time has come for Jacob Murphy to move on - preferably to a Championship side or abroad. We have cover in wide positions so my preferred replacement would be for an attacking full-back in the same vein as Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, such as Michael Kayode at Brentford (who is much more than just a very long throw-in).

Jim: Willock is the player I would like to move on. Never really fitted into the team, always second choice, and never looks like he wants to play. He has so much talent inside him but doesn't let it out. I think it's time for him.

Philippe: Sell Anthony Elanga. He disappointed in his first season with poor crossing into the box. Get Guela Doue (Strasbourg) in - a much-needed right-back who won't command a massive fee.

Jona: Willock looks like going to Turkey. This would be a real coup, but could we get Kees Smit as a real statement signing?

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Manchester United and Newcastle United have both expressed an interest in Botafogo midfielder Danilo this summer.

The 25-year-old, who was part of Brazil's World Cup squad, is considering his next move after his club received offers of about £25m from Palmeiras and Zenit St Petersburg.

Manchester United are exploring multiple options, including not signing an additional midfielder this summer.

Newcastle were understood to have held an interest in Danilo earlier in the window, as one of a number of possible targets, but the club are now close to signing Aladji Bamba from Monaco in a deal worth up to £34m.

Newcastle have also signed fellow midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for a fee of up to £23m.

Danilo is assessing his options, with Botafogo keen to sell him abroad despite Palmeiras, where he spent three years between 2020 and 2023, currently pushing hardest to complete a deal.

Nottingham Forest first brought Danilo to England from Palmeiras for £18m in 2023. After two seasons, he returned to Brazil to join Botafogo.

The midfielder appeared as a substitute in all but one of Brazil's matches at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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As the fifth anniversary of Newcastle United's Saudi-led takeover approaches in October, the club clearly has work to do on and off the field.

Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan set out to be "number one", while chief executive David Hopkinson's aim was to be "in the debate about being the top club in the world" by 2030 - but Newcastle need the infrastructure to match.

An announcement is awaited on plans for a new state-of-the-art training ground after a site was identified in Woolsington near Newcastle Airport.

The club have stressed the importance of taking time to make the right decision when it comes to either expanding St James' Park or building a new stadium, which will be key to boosting revenue.

To consistently compete, however, there is little margin for error.

Newcastle needed to see more of an immediate return from their £100m-plus net spend last summer, for example, but defender Malick Thiaw has been the only unquestioned success.

The club are also counting the cost of a bruising 12th-placed finish last season after missing out on Europe.

Most pertinently, after breaching Uefa's financial sustainability regulations, Newcastle have entered into a three-year settlement with European football's governing body.

Raising funds through the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively was therefore crucial in order for the club to have the ability to reinvest this summer.

Three key players have now left in less than 12 months, though, which has weakened the side considerably, following Alexander Isak's painful £125m departure to Liverpool last summer.

Newcastle do not want to lose another big name in Bruno Guimaraes, but the captain's future is uncertain after he intimated he wished to join Arsenal.

Whatever happens, trading will remain a key part of the club's strategy in the coming years - and there has been a shift in approach with incomings too.

Further reinforcements are sorely needed but all of the club's arrivals this summer - goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, midfielder Sean Steur and winger Bazoumana Toure - have been aged 20 and under, and from the continent.

The trio have immense potential and in the right hands could flourish, but they will need time.

It feels like the same could be said for the project as a whole right now.

Read the full article here

Besiktas are trying to sign English midfielder Joe Willock, 26, who is in the final year of his contract at Newcastle and will not be offered a new deal. (Telegraph), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

With the 2026 World Cup done and dusted, the return of club football is back on everyone's minds.

Pre-season preparations are under way and we want you to have a think about Newcastle's squad.

Tell us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want the Magpies to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Get in touch with your picks here

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey says Kevin Keegan showed everybody on Tyneside how "open, honest and beautiful" he was through his long-standing affiliation to the club.

Howey played under Keegan throughout his entire first spell as Newcastle manager, with the pair taking the club back to the first division in 1992-93, and then reunited at Manchester City in May 2001.

"He was a huge part of my career, particularly at the very start," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle. "He came in when the club was pretty much heading to the worst possible scenario. As a young player at that time, I felt very uncertain about my future.

"I came to the club as a midfielder and then I got moved to the forward line, so while me playing at centre-half was talked about before Kevin Keegan came in, I had never played that position before.

"It was ridiculous because I had a conversation with him about it before I'd even played a competitive game at centre-half. He'd seen what he'd seen in training, and he said: 'Listen, if you want to say here, you can be a part of what I'm going to do'. He said that with his backing it would definitely be possible.

"I just thought the man was absolutely crazy, to be honest, but there was me playing in the Premier League against the top strikers in the world and representing my country within three to four years."

Tributes have been pouring in for Keegan on Tyneside and across football since his death at the age of 75 was announced on Monday.

"He got the area and the fans. When we used to turn up at Maiden Castle, it would take him hours to actually get into the training ground because he'd make sure he had signed every bit of paper, taken every photograph and spoken to everybody.

"That's what he was about. He was a person who just showed everybody how open, honest and beautiful he was.

"His team talks would make you feel 10ft taller as you walked out of the dressing room. They weren't tactical or anything like that, you would just come out of them thinking: 'Nobody is going to beat us, nobody is going to beat me'. He had a great way of doing that.

"He was an amazing person to be around and it rubbed off on all of us."

Listen to the full conversation above or on BBC Sounds here

Also listen to former Newcastle United player and physiotherapist Paul Ferris' tribute

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson says Kevin Keegan's legacy "demands" a physical tribute such as a statue or the naming of a stand after the club legend.

Keegan passed away on Monday at the age of 75.

Speaking from outside St James' Park, Hopkinson said he was "moved" by the number of fans who has turned out to mourn Keegan already.

"Kevin's impact on this community is evident in the faces of everyone here," Hopkinson told BBC Newcastle.

"We didn't plan this, these people have shown up to gather, come together and remember him. It's really touching and an incredible, spontaneous tribute to him.

• Listen: Hopkinson on Keegan tribute

"I was aware of Kevin's impact on football. What he meant to this community I have learned more of since taking up this role a year ago. You can't really move far without someone telling you a story about Kevin. His legacy is a rich one and this is a tough day.

"Clearly, we have a statue of Alan Shearer here and Sir Bobby Robson. Kevin's impact on this club is extraordinary. I think it demands a physical tribute. What that means, a statue or stand, the answer is we haven't determined that yet. It's early. We are going to make that determination at the right time in conjunction with the family."

• Listen: What's it like to be named after Kevin Keegan?

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We asked for your views after Newcastle announced they would allow eligible supporters to vote on new club crest options in August as work continues to update the existing badge.

Here are some of your comments:

Ed: A badge isn't just a tool for merchandise. Fans have so much emotional investment into a badge, a hat, scarf or a shirt which reminds you of that game, or that goal, or that person who you went to the game with. It's impossible to "evolve" aspects of the club which carry so much emotional weight without damaging one of the key bases of the fans' support. Of course, fans will keep on coming and loving the club as much as they always did, but it breaks a bond, and only adds to the harmful emotional detachment between the modern game and the football fans' memories.

Ian: I'd rather the crest remained the same, but I accept the argument for changing it. I think the crest vote should be open to all members and that there must be a "none of the above" option.

Matt: It's hard to say supporters are getting their say when the club came out and said this is happening whether anyone likes it or not. These new crests represent a simplified, homogenised version of everything that has ramped up post-Covid. I can already see the final product - a stripped-down version of a crest that is more caricature than representative of anything meaningful.

Phil: I'm not against an update and I like that the club at least seem to be listening to fans instead of barrelling into some soulless, corporate design. A modernisation of what we have wouldn't be the worst way to show prospective players/investors we're an ambitious and forward-thinking club. Stadium updates to follow suit, I hope!

Shawsy: The rationale behind the change is fair and understandable. Their original decision to garner initial thoughts from fans was laudable. They are modernising what is already there. This seems to be the right way forward and consulting with us along the way - that's good too. I'm excited to see what they come up with and having a say. Would be good to see the final result for the 2027-28 season - when we are back in the Champions League...

Andy: As much as I love the badge, its history, its identity, we have to understand that things change. Everything changes. Whatever brand you look at, there has been evolution to meet the demands of the modern world and we should be no different. It seems like they're trying to go about it in the right, respectful way, but we have to let it happen. Put together three options and let the fans vote - boom, done.

Now the dust has settled on the 2026 World Cup, you can officially review your Predictor results for the tournament.

If you played more than four rounds, BBC Sport has done a deep dive into your predictions, tournament performance and compared you to other players.

Don't worry, though, Predictor isn't stopping at international tournaments! Pre-season has kicked off and there are plenty of friendlies and European qualifiers to keep us occupied before the new season gets under way.

So how do you fancy your chances of correctly predicting the scores for our six selected matches every week?

BBC Sport has launched a new weekly Predictor game to cover the 2026-27 season, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from six fixtures from across the leagues.

There will usually be a Friday deadline and the game will also feature streaks, so make sure to build it into your weekly football habits.

Lock in your first round of predictions before Friday, 24 July here

If you're wondering how to play, here are a few easy steps:

• Click on the link above to take you to the selections page.

• For every match, you either choose a winning team or select a draw - once your prediction has been submitted you won't be able to change it, so be sure to pick carefully.

• Then wait for the results to roll in to see how you have done.

• Share your results with your friends and family.

• Every consecutive round you play adds one to your streak, but if you miss a round then your streak will reset to zero.

Mohamed Moallim
BBC Sport Journalist

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The Premier League's financial landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Since 2016 total summer transfer spending has risen from £1.16bn to a record £3.19bn in 2025 – an increase of almost 175%.

On the surface, that suggests transfer figures are continuing to accelerate. Headline fees, though, tell only part of the story.

Research by Kieran Maguire and colleagues at the University of Liverpool suggests some of the Premier League's earlier record signings represented even greater investments when measured against clubs' buying power at the time.

Using Premier League broadcasting revenues as an index, Alan Shearer's £15m move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United in 1996 remains the league's biggest transfer relative to clubs' spending power. Rio Ferdinand's £29.1m move to Manchester United in 2002 and Juan Sebastian Veron's £28.1m arrival at Old Trafford in 2001 also rank above any of this summer's blockbuster deals.

The same model suggests Trevor Francis' £1m move from Birmingham City to Forest in 1979 – English football's first £1m transfer – would equate to about £173m in today's market.

That does not mean the fees paid for Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali were modest. Rather, it reflects how dramatically Premier League revenues have grown, allowing clubs to spend sums that would once have been unimaginable.

When Jack Grealish became Britain's first £100m footballer when joining City from Villa in 2021, the transfer marked another turning point in the evolution of the market.

Only five years later, nine-figure deals are no longer viewed as extraordinary. They have become a familiar feature of Premier League transfer windows.

The next milestone may not be far away.

While no Premier League club has yet paid £200m for a player, football's financial ceiling continues to rise and the first transfer of that magnitude no longer feels beyond the realms of possibility.

• Read more on transfer fee evolution

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin Keegan was "a man of the people that could get on with everybody," says former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton.

Hughton was convinced to join the Magpies as first-team coach in February 2008 because of a phone call with Keegan.

He became caretaker boss when Keegan left St James' Park in 2008 and took the job on a full-time basis the following year.

But before their paths crossed in management, Hughton faced him on the pitch.

"I played against Kevin a good few times when he was at Southampton and against him when I played for the Republic of Ireland against England," Hughton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Kevin got the two goals in that game and we lost 2-0.

"We chatted all the way to the changing room after the game and we exchanged shirts. I still have that shirt, and out of all my memorabilia, it is my most precious one.

"I owe all of my managerial career to Kevin. Having the faith to bring me up to Newcastle in the first place and then the pleasure of working with him for that period of time.

"He was no different to everything I had been told about him. The players loved him; he could have a laugh and joke with them, but when it came to decision making, it showed the quality he had.

"A man of the people that could get on with everybody. I always felt like if you couldn't get on with Kevin then it was your fault and not his because he gave everybody the time they deserve.

"An exceptional coach and an exceptional manager."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender Warren Barton said it "was an honour" to play under Keegan, who brought him to the club in 1995.

"He was a special person and he made everybody feel important," Barton told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We loved him.

"To have him as my manager was an honour.

"Everyone wanted to go to Newcastle because of the style of football that we played. It was exciting, but the sad part is that we failed him.

"We tried everything but we just came up short for him, although he never let us feel like we let him down as he was always very positive.

"He made me feel like I could walk on water."

Derek Wright - who served as physio under Keegan - added: "My happiest time was when Kevin was manager.

"It was an unbelievable time. He was a great manager in a football sense obviously but he was also a great leader, great with his staff. He loved the area, the region, Newcastle.

"You were carried along on this wave of optimism really. Every day was a great day with him and Terry McDermott.

"Kevin will always be there. He will never be forgotten, but a statue would be a fitting tribute I think."

You can listen to more Keegan tributes from former players, friends and journalists on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says he is "devastated" by the passing of club legend Kevin Keegan, who went on to become his friend after helping him settle in Tyneside.

In a club tribute, Howe said: "Kevin was an inspiration to me as a young player and, I'm honoured to say, a friend whose guidance and support meant a great deal in recent years.

"Long before I ever dreamed of becoming a manager, I was captivated by his 'Entertainers' team. They played with courage, freedom and excitement. They made people fall in love not only with football, but with Newcastle United.

"Those teams reflected Kevin himself – passionate, positive, fearless and full of energy. That spirit remains part of this club's identity today and will continue to push our players and staff and inspire generations to come.

"For me personally, Kevin's influence became even more meaningful when I arrived at Newcastle United as manager.

"He showed me incredible warmth and generosity. He had already given so much to this football club, yet he immediately made me feel welcome.

"Kevin understood better than most the privilege and responsibility of leading Newcastle United. He was always willing to share his wisdom, offer encouragement and provide support, and I will always be grateful for that.

"What struck me most was his humility. Despite everything he achieved in the game and his iconic status here, he never sought recognition. He simply wanted to help because he cared deeply about the club and the people within it.

"Every conversation with Kevin left you feeling better. He had remarkable warmth and humour and also a love for football that touched everyone around him. It is profoundly saddening that he is no longer with us.

"Kevin's legacy will live on through this football club, its supporters and everyone he inspired.

"Thank you, Kevin, for everything. Rest in peace."