Newcastle United

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We're now well into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention - especially with the summer transfer window open since 15 June.

Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?

Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?

This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...

Tell us the players you want, with your reasoning, here

Enjoy the World Cup across BBC Sport

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From live TV coverage to highlights, analysis and reaction, our dedicated team will ensure you don't miss a kick of the biggest World Cup yet.

And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.

This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.

This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.

• Simple steps to set up live lock screen match updates from the World Cup

• How to get Premier League score updates

A new predictor game has been introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.

The game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.

• Play World Cup Predictor here (UK users only)

Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player?

Well, now you can with Fifa World Cup 3D Experience, which is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport.

The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real time, highlights and full-match replays.

• Head here to get started

Finally, here are some more handy links:

• How to follow the World Cup across the BBC

• All the highlights and best video

• Beat the time difference and catch up on everything without any spoilers

• Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

• Play our World Cup quizzes

BBC Radio Newcastle spoke to Douglas Jakobson, who was Bazoumana Toure's assistant head coach at Hammarby, about what to expect from their new recruit.

"I wouldn't describe him as like a dribbler winger that loves to get a lot of touches on the ball. He's more a player that gets fewer touches but uses acceleration," Jakobson said.

"And he's a tremendous athlete - the way that he can accelerate just with one or two steps and with a good top speed as well.

"For sure he's going to be a difficult player to play against as a defender because he can both come and make short combinations before he runs in space or can receive a deep ball as well."

Toure joined the Swedish club in early 2024 before moving on to Hoffenheim the following year.

"What stood out to me immediately was his personality," Jakobson added. "He was a guy who really was not afraid to be himself and really liked to to work on his own development in training.

"I really think that he's going to continue his success. It's been only a couple of years for him as a senior player at the professional level in Europe and he's doing great things."

Hear the interview in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bazoumana Toure's positivity translates on to the field.

The rapid winger certainly tried to make things happen at Hoffenheim, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last season.

Of the forwards playing in the Bundesliga in 2025-26, Toure ranked first for successful crosses (39), joint-second for assists (nine), joint-third for dribbles completed (48) and fourth for chances created (45) and big chances created (11).

However, he is far from a maverick.

"You see his qualities with the ball, his speed and his hard work," former Hammarby team-mate Nahir Besara said. "But the thing that amazed me was he could take directions from the coaches and the players, and do it directly on the pitch.

"I remember previously he had scored some goals for Hammarby, but he had not scored a header at the time.

"The day before a game, our coach [Kim Hellberg] said, 'Bazou, I want you to go to the first post and head the ball'. He went on to score two headers in that game.

"He's really adaptable at taking tactical advice."

Toure's ability to quickly process information has been key to the improvements he has made out of possession, too.

Toure came out on top in 152 duels and won the ball back 127 times in his final league campaign at Hoffenheim.

The Premier League is another step up, though.

Toure is still raw and needs to work on various areas of his game, including his finishing.

He will also need time to adjust to the league's physicality and intensity, and the system Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe uses.

But the winger will be able to fall back on recent experience after repeatedly adapting to new environments over the years.

"I know he will be really successful," Besara said. "Mark my words."

• Read more on Toure

Newcastle have identified Germany and Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller, 25, as the ideal candidate to strengthen their midfield. (Bild - in German, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

At the 2026 World Cup, Anthony Elanga and Yoanne Wissa have looked a little more like the players who first grabbed Newcastle's attention at Nottingham Forest and Brentford respectively.

They even ended up scoring as many goals (five) combined at the tournament as they did during their first campaigns at Newcastle last season.

It's always dangerous to read too much into performances at a World Cup, but can Elanga and Wissa take this renewed confidence back to Tyneside?

Sweden bowed out in the last-32 following a 3-0 defeat against France, but Elanga emerged with some credit, with the tournament offering a glimpse of what the rapid forward can provide.

"He's the kind of player that can change a game," former Newcastle and Sweden team-mate Emil Krafth said.

Elanga showed that at Forest, but clearly found it a challenge adapting to a new detailed system at Newcastle, even after a full pre-season.

There were flashes of the player he can be.

There was a double in the Nou Camp in the Champions League knockout stages.

He caused Liverpool and Barcelona's defences real problems with his pace in games at St James' Park, only for a team-mate to fail to put away his crosses.

It did not consistently come together, though, not least when Newcastle faced low blocks, and there were some bruising moments following his £55m move.

But the Swede is not about to give up.

"He's not got the mental capacity to allow himself to fail," a source close to Elanga said.

"I think the second season for Anthony is going to be different.

"He knows what he's going to come into. He's a bit more prepared and knows what the manager wants from him."

Image source, Getty Images

Wissa had the worst possible preparation for his first campaign at Newcastle after pushing to leave Brentford and complete a £55m move of his own.

He had a disrupted pre-season and then went on to suffer a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo before rushing back in an effort to help his side and repay the faith Howe had shown in him.

But the 29-year-old struggled for rhythm, was prone to missing big chances, and a lack of training time ultimately caught up with him during a relentless fixture schedule.

But he certainly looked sharper and leaner going into the World Cup, and he relished the stage.

It was Wissa who scored DR Congo's first ever World Cup goal, a fine header, in a 1-1 draw against Portugal.

Although Wissa missed a couple of chances against Uzbekistan, he went on to bag a double during a man of the match display as his country reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time ever with a 3-1 victory.

The striker struck the post against England in the last-32, spurning a huge opportunity to make it 2-0 in a game his side ultimately lost.

But this was still a tournament to remember.

"I didn't show my best face at Newcastle," he admitted during the World Cup. "But I knew that my time would come."

Newcastle will cautiously hope it is a sign of what is to come. Not only for Wissa but Elanga, too.

We have been asking you questions about Newcastle United all summer. Our latest is a two-pronged query...

First, is there anyone on the free transfer list you think makes sense or is realistic as a signing?

Mohamed Salah, John Stones, Solly March, Fabinho, Leon Goretzka, Dusan Vlahovic, Daichi Kamada and Yves Bissouma are just some of the names currently available - and you can see a list here of the 15 free agents involved at the World Cup.

And secondly, is there a player the Magpies are constantly linked with but you hope they never sign? If so, who and why?

Get in touch with your views here

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says rivals Newcastle selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m is "probably a positive thing" for the Magpies.

Eddie Howe's side have effectively needed to trade to reinvest with Alexander Isak, Antony Gordon and now Tonali all leaving the club in the space of less than a year.

"Newcastle have had an issue for a number of years with the financial situation and selling players for that value, and replacing them with younger players, will make a huge change to their squad cost ratio," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It's probably a positive thing in many respects but it all hinges on what they do in this window, who they get in, and how they react to this move.

"It's sad for the fans because you get attached to players but the reaction will only play out when you see who starts the season for you."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Frederick: Elijah Just. Very talented in the New Zealand team. Could be a great investment for Newcastle. Plays for Motherwell in Scotland and quoted at £4.5m with Celtic and Rangers interested. Get in there Newcastle with a £6m bid now.

Jimmy: Nmecha. He's been the standout performer in the German side and could slot in perfectly to our midfield. Can we pluck him away from Dortmund? It's a big task.

Andrew: I don't think we should sign any of the players who "excelled" at the World Cup. If we do, their price tags will soar, and all the 'big six' clubs will be looking at them too. This is a season where Newcastle need to find players who are off the radar; then we can spend a fair price and not have them stolen by teams with more money.

Russell: I think Summerville would be a really shrewd signing for Newcastle. At 24 he's still young. He's a goal scoring winger to replace Gordon, in great form and has just been relegated so there's a realistic chance of getting him.

Rodney: Luc de Fougerolles looked to have potential. Calm, strong and looking to carry forward. He's been out on loan by Fulham and would probably be available at a reasonable fee. A good successor to Schar.

Ben: Verbruggen would be a great addition as a first choice goalkeeper is a must. Sweden's Ayari would be good for the future and would work well with Elanga. Trossard to replace Gordon - Newcastle missed out on him once and think they'd regret missing out again. He's definitely still capable if he's given the game time he needs. All three are realistic and look great value for money. Yeremy Pino would also be a great addition to the attacking line whatever position he'd play.

Lewis: Folarin Balogun looked immense in the USA World Cup opener. Him up front would strengthen Newcastle and we would finally have a number nine that is worthy of the shirt.

Ged: Addoubi from Morocco. Great on the ball, calm, good tackler. Couldn't believe he was only 18. I like Quinones as well.

Arsenal remain determined to sign Bruno Guimaraes and believe a £60m package is still possible for Newcastle's captain. (Sun), external

Roma and Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, with Newcastle, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth and Sunderland all asking about the 25-year-old's availability. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is always dangerous to read too much into a World Cup, but there have been some encouraging signs for Newcastle United.

Although Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa have bowed out, with Sweden and DR Congo, the pair looked more like the players Newcastle were convinced to spend £110m on last summer.

They even scored a combined five goals at the tournament - as many as they managed during their first season in the North East.

Head coach Eddie Howe had backed Elanga and Wissa to be better for the experience of a challenging first season on Tyneside and he will hope they can take this renewed form back to St James' Park.

He will also hope captain Bruno Guimaraes will be front and centre come the start of the season.

Guimaraes has been subject of interest from Arsenal and has served a timely reminder of the qualities Newcastle know all about with four assists for Brazil at the World Cup.

But it has not been quite such a positive experience for others.

Nick Woltemade's World Cup debut ended with the Germany forward missing a penalty in the shootout as he and Malick Thiaw were knocked out by Paraguay.

Tino Livramento's dream of representing England on this grand stage was ended before it even began after he suffered a calf injury three days before their group opener against Croatia.

Livramento, as a result, will miss the start of pre-season, after having surgery, but it was always the plan for the club's internationals to have an additional break regardless.

Each of those who were involved at the World Cup will be given about three weeks off so they will return to Newcastle later than the club's non-internationals, who are due back to the training ground on 13 July.

A huge season lies ahead.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Elliot Anderson was always going to go on and flourish.

But when Newcastle United reluctantly sold the midfielder to Nottingham Forest to avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rule (PSR) in 2024, club executives were still somewhat relieved they had kept hold of their more established names.

This side have been taken apart in the past 12 months, however, and several key figures have wanted to move on.

Alexander Isak pushed to join Liverpool for a British record £125m last summer.

Anthony Gordon completed a £69m switch to Barcelona before the window even opened.

Sandro Tonali is set to move to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m.

Should Newcastle's belated shift to a trading model come as a huge surprise, particularly after a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League last season?

Newcastle may theoretically be able to spend more within the rules, which have a higher threshold for clubs who are not competing in Europe.

But the club were never going to recklessly push against Uefa's guardrails.

It had been previously been suggested externally that Newcastle could stand to benefit from missing out on Europe.

This is because the Premier League's separate squad-cost ratio (SCR) regulations allow clubs not competing in Uefa competitions to spend upwards of 85% of their football-related revenue and net profit/loss from player sales.

Uefa's rules, by contrast, restrict clubs competing in Europe to a 70% spend.

However, senior figures at Newcastle warned that totting up huge losses in a single window and racking up an eye-watering squad cost without the revenue to support it would have a deeply damaging impact.

Uefa's football earnings rule runs over a three-year period so, if Newcastle were to spend especially big this summer and go on to qualify for Europe, they would be in real risk of a breach as those accounts would still have to be submitted.

They would also have to somehow bring down their squad cost to fall in line with Uefa's rules.

This is why trading was always going to be important in order to create headroom this summer, particularly without the riches of the Champions League.

Newcastle made it clear this week they were "committed to full ongoing compliance" as part of a settlement with Uefa following a breach of its financial sustainability regulations.

Raising funds through the sales of Gordon and Tonali was always going to be crucial to significantly reinvest this summer.

Read more about Newcastle's and the Premier League's financial regulations

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We asked for your views on Sandro Tonali's pending departure to Tottenham after Newcastle agreed a deal worth up to £100m.

Here are some of your comments:

Gabe: £100m is very good business for a player who's often looked distracted by transfer speculation since January. Now we just have to resolve Bruno's contract and we can be sure of avoiding another Isak scenario.

Dom: The sale of Tonali shows how the current spending rules simply entrench the status quo. A team that was lucky to escape relegation for the last two seasons can outspend anyone else in the league other than the other entrenched clubs. I don't mind spending rules as such, but they currently hinder clubs that could challenge while not preventing clubs going under.

Colin: Great money for Newcastle but very disappointing to see him go. Great player, but I think he owes Newcastle another season due to the fact that they kept and supported him during his betting ban.

Joe: Been coming a while now and we've commanded a decent price for him especially off the back of (by his standards) a bang average season. My worry is the incoming transfers or rather lack of them. Losing Victor Munoz was unacceptable and we can afford no repeats when it comes to Tonali's replacement.

Benjamin: I rate Tonali highly so I am sure he'll be a big miss. My concern is about how wisely the money will be reinvested after last years poor transfer business. Speaks volumes that a player of his class sees a team finishing 17th consistently as progression. Reinvest well!

Paxx: It's a good piece of business if they replace him with another good player. If they sell him and squander it on players similar to some of the clowns they bought last summer, then no it doesn't make sense. Tonali wasn't the same player last season that he was the season before, where he was outstanding.

John: Sorry to see Tonali go as he's a fantastic midfielder, but the £100m is needed to help rebuild our squad after our poor season.

Michael: Pretty good price for a player who missed one season, had one great season and one bang average campaign last season. All rumours pointed to him wanting to go for a while now so we won't miss him or his lack of loyalty after supporting him through his adversity. Has lots of potential to make that fee look a relative bargain, but do think we've got the better deal. Let's invest in some hungry players now before pre-season starts.

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle's Newcastle United commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle are about to lose another big player.

Sandro Tonali will join Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak by departing St James' Park inside 12 months - albeit for combined transfer fees of £300m.

Despite the wealth of the owners, Newcastle can't spend what they might want to in the transfer market and are battling against - what they might say is - the restrictive nature of the Premier League rules.

Newcastle's revenues have increased a lot since the takeover but they are still far behind the six richest clubs.

Making sizeable profit is one way Newcastle can boost their spending and power, but the reality is that they can't compete with the wealthiest in the league.

Tottenham have no European football this season and finished fourth from bottom in each of the last two years, but because of their huge revenue streams which brought in more than £560m last year, they are able to sign one of Newcastle's top players.

Gordon and Tonali have left relatively early but the key now is them being replaced.

Eddie Howe called on the club to be early in the transfer market and he wanted quick business. They have signed a goalkeeper but were beaten to the signature of Victor Munoz by Liverpool.

The events of last summer are still fresh in everyone's mind. There is a lot more required this summer to convince skeptical supporters that Newcastle United will remain competitive in the Premier League, attract top players and hold on to their stars.

Explore Newcastle content on BBC Sounds

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bruno Guimaraes tellingly emerged with credit following Newcastle United's bruising 2025-26 domestic campaign.

The Magpies slipped to 12th place in the Premier League, but they would have been in a far worse position without their player of the year.

Having worked with the coaching staff on getting further up the field, and anticipating where the ball will fall inside the box, Guimaraes even finished as Newcastle's top scorer in the Premier League with nine goals.

He scored openers against Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Tottenham and Crystal Palace as Newcastle picked up 10 points from a possible 12.

His mentality also shone through with a number of late goals at St James' Park, including a 90th-minute winner against Fulham and a stoppage-time penalty equaliser versus Leeds United in a topsy-turvy match Newcastle went on to win.

Guimaraes' ability to make things happen has long been invaluable to head coach Eddie Howe.

Although he missed a chunk of the season through injury, Guimaraes still ranked in the top five players across the league for defensive line-breaking passes (46) and through balls (21).

He also led the way at Newcastle for passes under high-intensity pressure (998), which illustrates how he relishes responsibility.

Yet there are also intangibles that can't simply be measured in data.

Guimaraes has a deep bond with Newcastle supporters, which has evidently driven him on, as season ticket-holder Adam Stoker explained: "We saw his reaction after the [2025 EFL] cup final, when he was crying, and that amazing interview he did post-match when the words he spoke in that moment almost summed it up better than any actual Geordie could have.

"I hate to say it generally, but he just gets it.

"It does feel like he's become completely immersed in the club, the city and the region.

"I don't think I've ever known anyone have this much rapport with supporters. The only person you can put him in the same stratosphere as is [Alan] Shearer."

Read more about Newcastle wanting to keep hold of Guimaraes despite Arsenal interest here

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Tottenham Hotspur are set to break their transfer record for a second time this week after agreeing a deal worth up to £100m with Newcastle United for midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Spurs previously had a bid of about £80m rejected by Newcastle, but are now set to pay an initial £92.5m plus a further £7.5m in add-ons.

BBC Sport previously reported that manager Roberto de Zerbi is a long-time admirer of the Italian international.

De Zerbi identified his countryman as a target during his time in charge of Sassuolo several years ago when Tonali was playing in Serie A.

And Spurs will now top the £85m agreement struck with West Ham this week for midfielder Mateus Fernandes in order to bring Tonali to North London.

What do you think about the likely sale? Get in touch with your views here

Read more on the story

Image source, Getty Images

Four Premier League clubs have been given financial penalties for breaching the Uefa's squad-cost rule for 2025.

Aston Villa have been fined 22.5m euros (£19.4m) for a "significant breach", while Chelsea have been fined 3m euros (£2.6m), of which 2m euros (£1.7m) is suspended.

Nottingham Forest must pay 2.5m euros (£2.2m), with Newcastle United to pay 3m euros (£2.6m).

The Magpies have also reached a settlement for an overspend in relation to Uefa's football earnings threshold, which means the club must pay a further fine of 10m euros (£8.6m). Of this, 7m euros (£6m) has been suspended for three years pending future compliance.

Three of the clubs either sold infrastructure to directly linked companies, or players to associated teams.

This was previously admissible under Premier League rules - it will not be from next season - but not by Uefa regulations.

Newcastle posted a £34.7m profit after selling the leasehold to St James' Park and adjacent land to PZ Holdings Limited, a subsidiary company.

All four clubs were in Europe last season, and the fines show the difficulties of complying with different rules across two competitions.

Uefa reduced the squad-cost limit from 80% to 70% of a club's income last season, making it more challenging to comply.

The Premier League has introduced its own variation of squad-cost limits, which kicks in from Wednesday.

While clubs in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's 70%, the other 11 Premier League teams will be permitted to spend upwards of 85% of income on the playing staff and the manager.

The Premier League is trying to protect the competitive balance by allowing those without income from European competition to spend a higher proportion of their earnings.

Forest are not in a multi-year settlement period, while Newcastle's does not relate to squad-cost ratio.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Newcastle do not want to lose Bruno Guimaraes and the club are adamant he is not for sale.

It is understood Arsenal have not yet made an approach.

Outsiders may coldly argue that this is the time for Newcastle to sell Guimaraes, given he turns 29 in November.

But Guimaraes is Newcastle's captain and talisman.

Such is his quality, he went top of the World Cup assists leaderboard by teeing up Gabriel Martinelli's late winner against Japan. A fourth assist in four games, at the highest level. This is the measure of the player.

Even measured staff behind the scenes at Newcastle openly talk about him being an "inspirational" figure.

Newcastle have lost plenty of games when Guimaraes has featured, of course, but Howe's side failed to win any of the 12 league fixtures he missed between August 2022 and February 2026.

Former team-mate Emil Krafth experienced Guimaraes' influence at first hand after spending four and a half years with the midfielder at Newcastle.

"He's the most important player in the team," Krafth said. "He manages the game so well, both physically and technically.

"I hope they can keep him.

"There's a lot of rumours surrounding him, which is not surprising because he's had a good World Cup and a great season."

• Read more on Guimaraes future

Tottenham have agreed personal terms with Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, 26, and are ready to pay about £100m for the Italian. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport