Newcastle United set to open talks with key trio – Report | OneFootball

Newcastle Close In On Sporting Director Deal Amid Contract Plans

Newcastle United are edging towards what many around St James’ Park see as the final structural piece of their modern football operation. According to iNews, the club are in advanced talks to appoint Nottingham Forest chief football officer Ross Wilson as their new sporting director, with hopes of finalising the move before the end of the month.

Sporting Department Takes Shape

The position has remained vacant since Paul Mitchell exited in May. Majority owners PIF have made it clear that the role is central to long-term success, having already created a technical director post and promoted Jack Ross to head of football strategy. In the meantime, Eddie Howe’s nephew Andy has stepped up as an informal sporting director, assisted by co-owner Jamie Reuben.

Such improvisation has allowed Newcastle to complete headline signings including Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Malick Thiaw. However, sources state that these were always stop-gap solutions, with a permanent appointment viewed as essential before January.

Photo: IMAGO

Contract Decisions on Hold

One major priority facing the incoming executive will be contract renewals. As iNews reported, Newcastle are waiting to open talks with Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman until the new sporting director is officially installed.

Tonali’s current deal runs to 2028, yet internal discussions suggest the club want to reward his influence. Paul Scholes recently labelled him the “best midfielder in the Premier League”, a sentiment echoed by many supporters after a string of dominant displays. There is also recognition that Livramento, currently recovering from a knee injury, warrants improved terms given his progress and international ambitions. Manchester City were circling last summer, a reminder of his rising stock.

Howe’s Backing for Structural Clarity

Some had questioned whether Eddie Howe was fully committed to working alongside a sporting director, yet he put that speculation to bed emphatically. “We need the position filled, but ideally with the right man, the man who can lead the club forward in many different ways to a very successful era,” he said. “I’m fully supportive of the position.”

Those close to the situation suggest Wilson is viewed as a more natural collaborator than Mitchell, which may explain Newcastle’s renewed urgency. CEO David Hopkinson has already “reinvigorated Newcastle after a summer spent fighting fires”, but football decisions will increasingly run through the new appointee.

Foundation for Long-Term Progress

The key word now echoing around Tyneside is alignment. With a clear structure above Howe and a contract strategy in place for core players, Newcastle are preparing not just for the next window but for sustained competitiveness in the years ahead. If Wilson arrives as expected, his first actions will likely come in the boardroom, rather than the transfer market.

For supporters who feared drift, momentum appears to be returning.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Newcastle fan perspective, this update feels like the moment where everything starts to click into place. Supporters have been crying out for proper structure behind the scenes, something to match the ambition shown on the pitch. If Ross Wilson comes in and immediately signs off on new deals for Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman, that sends a powerful message. Tie down the core, build from strength and stop other clubs sniffing around.

Hearing Tonali called the “best midfielder in the Premier League” is the kind of statement supporters want to hear from legends like Paul Scholes, because it confirms what many already believe. He plays with intensity, he sets the tone and if the club reward that early, it shows Newcastle act like a serious football institution. Livramento being recognised despite injury recovery is just as important. It tells young talent that development will be backed, not stalled.

There will always be caution until the contract extensions are signed and the sporting director officially unveiled, but there is a growing feeling that Newcastle are moving with purpose again. January could be explosive if this framework is completed in time. Fans do not just want big signings, they want the right decisions made at the right time. Everything about this report suggests that is exactly where the club are heading.