The Prophet

Sounds like he has a chance at least.

I'm guessing Dean James is not a good source?

He'll be playing tonight v Barca, if anyone wants to get their hopes up

If this is true, given the minimal outlay, it won't matter what European competition we're in.

Off to Napoli isn't he?

Bit more here: Newcastle, one step away from Joan García, according to 'Cazurreando' Despite interest from multiple Champions League clubs, according to Ángel García, Newcastle will pay the Espanyol goalkeeper's release clause. According to journalist Ángel García, better known as 'Cazurreando' , Newcastle are very close to securing his services . The English club, backed by the multi-millionaire Saudi owner of the Public Investment Fund , has taken a decisive step forward and is willing to pay the full €25 million release clause. This is a clear sign of their firm and ambitious interest. The Magpies, in the midst of fighting to secure their presence in European competitions next season—possibly in the Champions League—are looking to strengthen a key position with a young, reliable goalkeeper with enormous potential. Joan fits the modern profile that the Premier League demands: good footwork, reflexes, leadership, and room for growth.

Newcastle wins the bidding for Joan García. @__AngelGarcia__ reveals that the English club is very close to paying the clause of the brilliant @RCDEspanyol goalkeeper.

"Not serious" but hadn't trained this week according to Hope.

"Confidential reported last week that Aston Villa hold an interest in Harvey Barnes, while Newcastle like Villa’s attacking midfielder Jacob Ramsey, giving rise to a swap deal with PSR benefits. We can now reveal that this was first floated in January - from the Villa end - at a time when Barnes was out of the Newcastle team and Villa were looking to get their books in order ahead of June’s PSR deadline. It did not happen then - Barnes suffered a thigh injury in the middle of the month - but there has been fresh talk in some circles of a deal being revisited. However, the message back to Confidential this week is that Eddie Howe does not want to lose the 27-year-old ahead of next season. He has started the last nine matches, scoring four and assisting four, and has shown his worth during his first run of consistent games since joining the club in 2023. Villa were also interested back then. But Barnes is said to be settled on Tyneside and, with Newcastle set to combine Premier League and Champions League campaigns next term, it appears more likely that he will stay at St James’ Park. The winger has also shown his versatility by starting or moving to the right wing in recent matches. Ramsey, meanwhile, retains admirers within Newcastle’s coaching and recruitment set-up. The 23-year-old has two years to run on his contract and Villa could decide that the time is right to sell this summer, especially amid PSR concerns." ... "Newcastle scouts have been on the list to watch Borussia Dortmund in recent weeks, and Confidential has been told of two players upon whom reports have been returned - goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and winger Jamie Gittens. The club’s want for a keeper this summer is well known, and we understand the asking price for Burnley’s James Trafford is around £30million. The 22-year-old remains the top target. However, work continues to identify alternatives and Kobel, 27, is highly rated. He has been a Switzerland team-mate of Fabian Schar and has Champions League experience, including two clean sheets against Newcastle last season. Gittens, meanwhile, is of interest to a host of Premier League clubs, with Newcastle among them - Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked. The England Under 21s star has scored 12 times this season from 34 starts and, with a release clause that will fall from £50m if Dortmund fail to make the Champions League, a move to the Premier League is on the cards. The 20-year-old is versatile and can operate on both wings as well as in behind a striker. I spoke to him after a Dortmund game a couple of seasons back and he was engaging and bright. My colleagues in Germany were super excited about his potential and his development has led to interest from Europe’s top sides."

Is Luke OK?

Obviously I'd prefer us to have more bodies available, but I think we'll give them a game regardless.

Miguel Delany claiming Man United are progressing for Delap and Semenyo.

For us to finish 7th, Forest would need to beat West Ham and Chelsea and we'd need to lose to Arsenal and Everton. For that to be Europa Conference, Palace would need to win the FA Cup final. It's not impossible of course, but given the form of all concerned, it seems unlikely.

This could be classic Howe mind games. We have no idea on the fitness of Trippier, Botman, Willock or Joelinton. The team could be anything really.

I fully trust the club on this fwiw. Especially now we have Bunce in.

I'm by no means an expert, but during his rehab a lot of lot of folk who had suffered ACLs were saying to prepare for him picking up minor injuries, particularly in the other knee.

Nah. He needs a full pre-season under his belt.

Is Trippier definitely out?

Isn't this quite common after an ACL injury?

The Grealish links are interesting. We've also been linked with Eze and Cuhna. While different players, they all fit a profile that can play a creative role either behind the striker or in that left sided eight position. I wonder if that's something that we're looking at (or more likely it's lazy journalism).

Hope we get it wrapped up this weekend. That Everton game has the potential to be a slog. We'll do it, buy it'd be nice to be as stress free as possible.

Nah that's Huijsen to Real Madrid.

I wonder if we're thinking of keeping Longstaff this summer. We could probably fetch more cash for Willock and Longstaff counts towards the UEFA home grown count. Can't see us shifting both, as it leaves us short.

We'll batter them anyway.