Newcastle United have reportedly reached an agreement to sign a player they had previously negotiated to join Chelsea, with sporting director Ross Wilson expressing his gratitude for the deal.
Eddie Howe endures worst week at Newcastle as pressure mounts
It was probably Eddie Howe’s worst week at Newcastle.
In the space of four days, the Magpies were knocked out of the Champions League in the most hopeless of circumstances, then capitulated against their biggest rivals in the most painful way imaginable.
Last Wednesday’s 7-2 humiliation at Camp Nou still lingers.
Newcastle were genuinely competitive for much of the first half – Anthony Elanga equalized twice in a suffocating opening game – but the only controversial penalty by Lamine Yamal just before the start of the second half, awarded after a VAR review that Howe openly questioned, turned the game around to draw the game in Barcelona’s favor.
The second half was a punitive experience, with Sandro Tonali limping off with a groin injury that caused further damage.
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With an 8-3 aggregate defeat, Newcastle’s Champions League adventure ended.
I didn’t have time to process it.
Four days later, the first Tyne Wear derby in more than a decade would be held at St James’s Park, and there were hopes that revenge would be in order.
Anthony Gordon got off to a perfect start, firing home in the 10th minute to take his tally of Premier League goals to 10 since the start of the year.
Newcastle led at half-time. And then the second half happened.
Kemsuddin Talbi equalized for Sunderland, Malick Thiau’s header was disallowed and the home fans were left in stunned silence as Brian Brobbie derailed Sunderland’s end to the game with his 90th-minute winning goal.
Sunderland won a league double and Howe became the first Newcastle manager to lose both of his first two league derbies against the Black Cats.
As a result, Newcastle fell to 12th place in the Premier League, overtaken by Sunderland, and qualification for Europe became increasingly distant.
Eight defeats in their last 11 league games is a grim statistic for a club that started the season with genuine ambition and playing on four fronts.
But amidst the wreckage of a truly terrifying week, Wilson and the St James’ Park recruitment team delivered a rare piece of good news. And it clearly points to the future.
Newcastle agree contract with Johan Martinez after transfer to Chelsea
TEAMtalk and journalist Graham Bailey report that Newcastle have won the race to sign 16-year-old Ecuadorian winger Johan Martínez from Independiente del Valle, who also produced twins Edwin and Holger Quintero, who recently signed for Arsenal.
The teenager is recognized as one of the most exciting young prospects to emerge from South America, with blistering speed, natural talent and the versatility to work across the offensive line.
Newcastle are said to have signed Martinez, with Wilson in particular playing a “key role”.
Competition for his signature was fierce.
Arsenal, who have just ended their relationship with Independiente del Valle, were also involved, while Chelsea’s BlueCo owners were also in talks to potentially sign Martinez.
Manchester City, via City Football Group, Liverpool, Brighton, Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen were also keen, so virtually every major club with a serious youth recruitment network knew about the kid.
Newcastle won anyway.
TT says the club’s vision, the clear pathway it offers and the development program Wilson has built were central to convincing Martinez and his agent that St James’ Park was the right home for them.
He is due to officially join the club in 2028, when he turns 18, and the deal is seen internally as an important long-term gesture.
In a week of pain on the pitch, such a hire reminded everyone at Newcastle of what the wider project is building towards.
Other reports suggest that Newcastle are also in early talks to sign Marcus Thuram.
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