Newcastle United are now eyeing a double signing after reaching a ‘full agreement’ with their next summer arrival. The Magpies have work to do this summer after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish firmly in the bottom half.
Eddie Howe knows that, even after so much positive work, he is not going to be granted another disappointing campaign to that extent next season, but new signings are needed for the Magpies to turn things around, and especially after Anthony Gordon was sold to Barcelona off the bat.
As ever, though, Newcastle have to be smart with their spending to keep in line with Financial Fair Play, and that means signing some ready-made players, yes, but also players with big potential yet to be reached.
Newcastle strike deal with goalkeeper
Newcastle have completed their first signing of the summer by bringing in Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen. The 20-year-old France Under-21s international impressed with Reims last season, serving as their starting goalkeeper and making 34 Ligue 2 appearances as they finished sixth, and with the fourth-best defensive record in the league.
The young stopper is over 6ft 5ins tall and will be signed as a prospect with the hope he can supplant Nick Pope at some point in the not too distant future.
Magpies in search of another deal
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Newcastle may be shopping for the future in Jaouen, but they are also looking at players who can make an immediate impact, and Osasuna attacker Victor Muñoz certainly fits into that category.
The winger has impressed with the Spanish side this season, scoring seven and assisting five across all competitions, with the Pamplona side narrowly dodging relegation in LaLiga. The 22-year-old even won a call-up to the star-studded Spain World Cup squad, and that could complicate a transfer this summer, or at least the timing of it.
A report from the Northern Echo claims Newcastle are trying to make a breakthrough in negotiations before the Spain World Cup squad effectively shuts off all communications, although most players are already likely to have told their agents to stop business communications at this point. La Roja are just a few days from kicking off their World Cup campaign, and it’s a World Cup they have a serious chance of winning.
To further complicate things, Real Madrid hold a buy-back clause in Muñoz’s deal, having sold him to Osasuna, and if they do not take up the option of re-signing him, they will likely pocket a significant chunk of cash instead.
Osasuna are likely to demand the full release clause for their young World Cup star, which is worth £34.5million.
Aston Villa are preparing for a busy summer transfer window after they secured qualification for the Champions League.
It was a phenomenal 2025/2026 season for Unai Emery’s side, who qualified for the Champions League while also winning the Europa League.
Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition will allow Villa to shop in a different market when it comes to new additions this summer.
Emery’s side won’t want to stand still despite their impressive campaign, and with players being linked with departures, it could be a busy transfer window.
Romano: Aston Villa Eyeing Goalkeeper
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zion Suzuki is among a list of three goalkeepers that Aston Villa are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Midlands club are reportedly eyeing the Parma goalkeeper, due to talks between Emi Martinez and Juventus.
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back during the summer transfer window after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be leaving the club.
Konate departed Anfield and looks set to join La Liga side Real Madrid in the summer, with his contract at Liverpool expiring.
The French defender has been a mainstay in Liverpool’s defence in recent years, partnering Virgil van Dijk under both Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp.
Konate has struggled for consistency at times, and Liverpool may have been looking to bring in a replacement this summer regardless. Konate’s departure has certainly pushed it higher up their priority list.
The Reds do have Jeremy Jacquet arriving this summer, after he was signed in January. It remains to be seen whether he will come in and be a guaranteed starter.
Bastoni is also left-footed, meaning he can provide balance in the back four alongside Van Dijk.
Having a left-footed defender as part of a defensive pairing is very beneficial, something Liverpool haven’t had the luxury of in recent years.
Bastoni is incredibly comfortable on the ball whilst also being a powerful, tough-tackling defender. There’s an argument to suggest that not only would he be a competent replacement for Konate, he would also be an upgrade.
Tottenham are incredibly busy in the summer transfer window already, but Tuttosport reports that a surprise swap deal could now be on the cards.
It comes as Spurs are looking to rebuild the squad to improve on their recent disappointing campaigns in the Premier League, with an initial focus on the backline.
Despite that, another centre-back could be on the cards in a surprise swap deal.
Gleison Bremer Swap Deal
According to reports from Tuttosport, Tottenham are interested in a move for Juventus defender Gleison Bremer as an option to replace Cristian Romero this summer.
It’s claimed that Roberto De Zerbi is keen on the ‘monster’ centre-back, having seen his work during his time at Sassuolo, while the Brazilian is also open to a potential exit from Juventus.
A €58 million (£50 million) release clause exists in the 29-year-old’s deal that the Bianconeri can point to in transfer discussions, but Spurs may have a trick of their own.
The report adds that Tottenham are trying to lower that valuation in transfer discussions by offering Guglielmo Vicario as an option, in what could be a potential swap deal if discussions moved in that direction.
A €20 million (£17.25 million) has been placed on the Italian goalkeeper, and while the interest in Bremer may not necessarily lead to a swap deal, it is suggested as an option for Spurs.
It remains to be seen whether it is possible, but it would be quite a surprise move for the Lilywhites, for several different reasons.
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Bremer Transfer Surprise
While Bremer has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past, a switch to Tottenham this summer would come as something of a surprise.
Even with exits expected for Romero and Radu Dragusin, Spurs are set to have plenty of centre-back options if they can get their current targets through the door.
Senesi and Van Hecke would be competing with the likes of Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, and Luka Vuskovic for minutes, while the pairing of Robertson and Davies could also function on the left-side of the central pair.
Throwing Bremer into the mix would only unbalance things even further, not least when Tottenham don’t have the schedule to justify such strength in depth for one specific area.
Spurs are already making waves in the summer transfer window
Adding Vicario in for a potential swap deal may also be a surprise, as Spurs would likely reinvest anything into another goalkeeper to compete with Antonin Kinsky.
The goalkeeper does look set for an exit, however, even despite De Zerbi describing Vicario as a “top player” during his stint at the club so far.
Even if that is the case, he may not end up at Juventus, because recent reports have suggested that their priority will be Aston Villa ace Emiliano Martinez.
It remains to be seen if there is a twist in the tale that will see a swap deal occur, but it would be quite the surprise if so.
