Newcastle United’s £250m spending spree last summer increased pressure on Eddie Howe’s position and dealt a major blow to the club’s Premier League standing.
The Magpies faithful have become accustomed to finishing in Europe in recent years, but they currently sit 14th and a number of key players could be set to leave St James’ Park.
Sandro Tonali is one of the players almost certain to leave Tyneside this summer, having been constantly linked with a move to Manchester United or Arsenal.
Selling the 25-year-old will undoubtedly be a blow to Howe, but it may be necessary to prevent any impact on the division’s financial constraints.
As a result, the bosses desperately need to right the mistakes of last summer’s deal and identify the right players to fill the void should the £55m signing leave during the off-season.
Newcastle United’s most expensive sale | |||
|---|---|---|---|
player | commission | I participated | year |
alexander isak | £125m | liverpool | 2025 |
andy carroll | £35 million | liverpool | 2011 |
Elliot Anderson | £35m | nottingham forest | 2024 |
Yankuba Minte | £30 million | brighton | 2024 |
Ayoze Perez | £30 million | leicester city | 2019 |
Moussa Sissoko | £30 million | tottenham | 2016 |
Georginio Wijnaldum | £25m | liverpool | 2016 |
Newcastle could accept a £40m bid for European star
Newcastle are searching far and wide to sign a new central midfielder this summer ahead of the opening of a reinforcements slot.
The Englishman is just one of the players who could leave Anfield this summer, with Liverpool star Curtis Jones emerging as one of the Magpies’ possible options.
The 25-year-old is reportedly desperate for more consistent first-team minutes in the Premier League, which could open the door for a move to Tyneside.
Despite the recent interest in Jones’ signature, other targets are currently being pursued, with Roma star Manu Kone also a player within the hierarchy’s sights ahead of the next deadline.
According to Il Messaggero of Sport Witness, the Magpies are interested in the French star and he could be sold this summer to ease the Italian side’s own financial woes.
The report also states that Inter Milan and Manchester United are also interested in signing the 24-year-old, but Howe’s side may have the upper hand in meeting the current asking price.
It is claimed that Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will be open to offers in the region of £40m in the coming period, which could be a bargain deal.
Why Kone could be Newcastle’s next Tonali
Newcastle’s midfield department has played a big part in their success in recent years, with Tonali forming an excellent partnership with the likes of Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton.
However, due to the financial situation and current low league position, this trio could be dismantled during the next transfer window.
The Italian looks most likely to leave at this point, and while his contract could bring in a huge profit, it would undoubtedly leave a big hole in the heart of the team.
Most minutes played in the PL for Newcastle (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
player | minutes |
Malick Thiau | 2604 |
Sandro Tonali | 2310 |
Bruno Guimarães | 2121 |
nick pope | 2057 |
Dan Burns | 1920 |
lewis hall | 1887 |
anthony gordon | 1814 |
harvey burns | 1790 |
He has played in every game for the Magpies in the Premier League this season, further reaffirming his importance to Howe’s side despite their recent struggles in England’s top flight.
However, should he leave the club, the £40m deal for current transfer target Cone would give the bosses the perfect chance to replicate his move to Tyneside.
The Frenchman followed Tonali’s example and made the move from the Italian top team to Newcastle, while also taking the opportunity to win over the fan base.
His stats at Roma this season have proven his quality and the 24-year-old is undoubtedly the perfect man to replace the Italian if he is sold this summer.
Described as “incredible” by analyst Antonio Mango, Cone has completed 91% of his passes this season, better than Tonali.
His appearances since then have shown him to be talented with the ball at his feet, equaling the Magpies star’s record of two assists this season.
The Frenchman’s quality of possession is also reflected in his record in Serie A with a dribble success rate of 62%, which ranks him in the top 15% of all midfielders in the division.
Even without the ball, the Roma star was equally impressive, as evidenced by his impressive 5.6 ground duels won and 1.9 tackles won per 90.
The former of the aforementioned stats is higher than Tonali’s, so he could be the perfect box-to-box option for Howe’s side throughout the 2026/27 season.
Other figures such as 4.7 ball recoveries and 1.1 chances created per 90 are testament to his quality at both ends of the pitch, something Newcastle have been crucially lacking in recent months.
Losing Tonali this summer would be a devastating blow to Howe and the fan base, but signing Cohn will no doubt soften the blow should the fan favorite move on to pastures new.
Paying £40 million for a player of his quality could prove to be shrewd business, one that allows supporters to forget about the hardships they have endured in the ongoing campaign.
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