Embarrassing from The Sun on Newcastle's summer 'transfer plan'
The January window only closed at 11pm last night and we've already got a contender for the worst transfer rumour you'll see in all of 2025.
Many names were linked throughout the winter that varied in levels of credence. Tyler Dibling, Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo are believed to be genuine targets - but the latest Premier League name linked by The Sun is laughable in the context of their story.
It once again centres around us losing one of our key players, even though we could have been handed a £100m boost to our budget in January after the departures of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly, but the 'replacement' suggested is nonsensicle.
Clueless claims on Toon transfer plans
The opening line of The Sun's latest piece on Newcastle's summer transfer plans is quite something as the rumours persist in the wake of the winter window.
'NEWCASTLE are lining up a move for Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert - in case they lose Alexander Isak in the summer,’ read the sensationalist intro to a summer rumour that makes absolutely zero sense on several levels.
Kluivert may have scored a hat-trick at St James' Park last month and bagged an impressive 11 goals so far this season, but he is not a striker. In 61 appearances for the Cherries, not once has he played up top.
If you're going to make up a transfer story the day after the January window shuts, at least make it believable!
Key to keeping Isak clear?
Back to reality, it’s fair to say that Champions League qualification may be pivotal in Newcastle securing key man Isak’s long term future in the north east.
There has been no indication that the superstar Swede is unsettled, telling Alan Shearer it “makes you laugh” to hear some of the rumours being floated around - with Arsenal in particular the presses main narrative at the moment.
This begs the question, even if we don’t achieve Champions League football: ‘Could anyone afford to sign Isak?’ We are in much less need of selling anyone after winter departures, the player hasn’t publicly indicated unrest, and we certainly would be hard-pushed to replace the talismanic centre-forward.
Things can change quickly in football of course and the press will continue to talk, some rumours lazier than others, but if we can push on and secure a Champions League entry it would help quash a lot of outside chatter during the summer.
