Fabrizio Romano breaks Newcastle United transfer news: midfielder poised to join Premier League rivals

There has been some activity in Newcastle United’s academy in recent days.

Manchester City are likely to sign one of Newcastle United’s promising young players.

General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Fulham FC at St James’ Park on February 01, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, under-15s midfielder Ethan Fullen is ready to depart for Manchester City.

Fullen was a member of the Magpies’ academy team that traveled to Japan for the J-League International Series last year, when he scored in a 7-3 defeat to a representative side. According to Romano, Fullen is regarded as a “huge talent”.

He posted on X: “Manchester City are closing in on one more Academy signing: Ethan Fullen will join from Newcastle U15.” Fullen, regarded as a big talent, has joined #MCFC, with specifics being worked out.

Fabrizio Romano breaches the Newcastle United academy transfer ‘exclusive’.

According to Romano, Newcastle beat out many Premier League clubs in the race to sign Rangers academy forward Alfie Hutchison.

A twin raid on the Scottish Premiership giants might also bring prospect Oliver Goodbrand to the Magpies, though no formal confirmation has been made. Hutchison only played one season in Glasgow after joining from Hearts last summer.

Given Newcastle’s status as the most northern team in English football, Scotland is regarded as a significant battleground for the club’s scouting setup. Under existing norms, United must compensate both players if they arrive.

Newcastle United’s academy approach

Signing Hutchison is regarded as a triumph for Newcastle’s academy, which continues to grow under Saudi ownership. Since the takeover in October 2021, youth investment has been prioritized as the club seeks to alleviate Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) strain.

Developing players for Eddie Howe’s first squad is a cost-effective method that Mike Ashley previously neglected. Even if the children do not make the cut, they can be sold for a pure profit on the PSR balance sheet.

In recent years, Manchester City and Chelsea have utilized this strategy to help fund expensive recruits. Newcastle are now seeking to emulate that strategy, with Yankuba Minteh being the first example of flipping a potential for a profit.

Minteh joined Odense Boldklub for £7 million in 2023, and after a successful season-long loan spell at Feyenoord, Brighton paid £33 million for him.

Newcastle United agrees to recruit Vakhtang Salia.

Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia will join Newcastle from Dinamo Tbilisi when he turns 18 in August. The arrangement has been in place since October of last year.

Newcastle’s sports director, Paul Mitchell, remarked at the time, “We’re happy to be ahead of a lot of other big clubs in signing Vakhtang.

“Scouting and hiring rising talent is an important aspect of creating a sustainable future, especially under the present PSR framework, therefore the market is intensely competitive.

“We continue to scout actively, both domestically and internationally, with the goal of acquiring players who can progress through our talent pipeline and, ideally, join the first squad in the future. We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him continued success at Dinamo Tbilisi.”

Newcastle confirm Anthony Elanga signing: How Manchester United will benefit from £55 million transfer

Newcastle United have signed winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest on a long-term contract.

The 23-year-old joins St James’ Park for a reported £52 million plus £3 million in add-ons, becoming Newcastle’s second summer signing after teenage winger Antonito Cordero.

“I’m excited, I’m really happy, but most importantly, I’m ready,” Elanga told Newcastle’s official website. “I’m eager to put on this black and white top and fight for this team, giving my best for the devoted fans who love and breathe football.

“I had a fantastic two years at Nottingham Forest, and they really helped me develop into the player I am today, but I’m delighted to be here now. The club won a trophy last season and is creating something unique and exceptional, which I am very interested in being a part of.

“I genuinely want to buy into this club’s culture and DNA. I’m very excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

Anthony Elanga. Newcastle United player. 😁 pic.twitter.com/6ywwQUyHvU

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 11, 2025

Howe is thrilled to obtain the services of “key target” Elanga

“I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to Newcastle United,” said Magpies head coach Eddie Howe. He has been a significant objective for us, so I’m thrilled to get him at this early stage of preseason.

“He is an exciting talent with characteristics that distinguish him as a distinct offensive danger. His quickness, enthusiasm, and ability to create and score goals will strengthen and compliment our style of play.

“Anthony is hungry to develop even further with us and to achieve success here, and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

Newcastle have prioritised the signing of a new winger since Miguel Almiron’s departure in January, with Elanga providing depth and competition for Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Jacob Murphy.

Elanga, a 22-cap Sweden international, established himself as a key player for Forest in the 2024-25 season, helping the Tricky Trees finish eighth in the Premier League.

Only Mohamed Salah (18) and Newcastle’s Murphy (12) has more Premier League assists than Elanga (11), who also scored six goals in 38 league games for Forest.

Elanga also provided nine assists in the 2023-24 season, bringing his Premier League assist total over the last two seasons to 20, surpassing Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer (both 19), Bruno Fernandes (18), and Kevin De Bruyne (17).

Elanga will join fellow Swedish international Alexander Isak and close friend Will Osula at St James’ Park.

Manchester United will benefit from Elanga’s trade to Newcastle.

Elanga’s move to the Magpies is also expected to help his old club Manchester United, who are reportedly entitled 15% to 20% of any future winger sales profits.

The Red Devils sold Elanga to Forest for roughly £15 million in 2023 and are expected to collect between £6 million and £8 million from his £55 million move to Newcastle, which is a much-needed cash boost for Ruben Amorim, who is operating with a tight budget at Old Trafford this summer.

Romano gives Liverpool Isak HOPE as Newcastle eyes €100 million deal

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

The Magpies are looking for a new striker following Callum Wilson’s departure. However, with Alexander Isak, Newcastle already has one of the best in the business in that position.

This implies Eddie Howe and colleagues may struggle to sign another elite forward unless they can promise consistent minutes.

Surprisingly, Fabrizio Romano believes that the St. James’ Park club remains interested in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman has long been linked with a move to Newcastle, but only as a replacement for Isak, not as a backup or partner.

The two strikers are remarkably similar, so it’s no surprise that Ekitike is on Howe’s radar. Despite Romano’s report, it’s tough to envisage Newcastle signing the 23-year-old without trading the Swede.

Is Newcastle opening the door for an Isak sale?

Frankfurt has set a €100 million price tag on Ekitike, and they have made it clear to anyone who would listen that they will not back down from this figure.

There is speculation that Frankfurt would accept a lower initial deal that may increase to €100 million through add-ons, but any conceivable offer would have to meet that very particular sum one way or another.

Given that Newcastle have just sealed a €64 million agreement with Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga, it becomes unlikely that they will be able to spend €100 million on Ekitike without a substantial sale.

Chelsea has already backed out of the race to sign Ekitike because to his high cost, and Liverpool will only make a bid if they can raise finances by selling Darwin Nunez. The Reds, of course, are still interested in Isak.

Newcastle are certain that Isak will not leave, but if they believe they can seriously secure a deal for Ekitike, they may be more willing to let go of their star forward, who would undoubtedly fetch a cost in excess of €150 million and give them more market flexibility.

However, selling a top Premier League attacker – and fan favourite – and replacing him with a relatively unknown striker for an eye-watering €100 million would be a significant risk.

‘Next week’: Fabrizio Romano updates on Newcastle United transfer hijack after £21 million deal accepted

AC Milan has accepted a £21 million bid for Newcastle United’s trade target Malick Thiaw.

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Newcastle were connected with the 23-year-old centre-back last summer as Eddie Howe sought to improve his defence.

Since then, the Magpies have failed to sign Marc Guehi and traded Lloyd Kelly to Juventus, making the need for defensive reinforcements even more pressing a year later.

Thiaw has made 85 appearances for AC Milan since joining from Schalke 04 in 2022, scoring once. In September 2023, he played against Newcastle in a 0-0 Champions League draw at the San Siro, but he was unable to play the return leg due to injury.

AC Milan accepts Malick Thiaw’s transfer proposal. 

Thiaw has been widely linked with a move away from Milan this summer, with Serie A club Como having accepted a £21 million deal for the three-time Germany international.

But it was last month, and a deal has yet to be completed, with Thiaw keeping his options open.

Following the ties to Newcastle last summer, the Italian media teased a potential transfer hijack.

Newcastle United transfer hijack?
According to Italian journalist Matteo Morretto, Thiaw is delaying a move to Como in order to compete in a European competition, with Newcastle United mentioned as a possible destination.

AC Milan failed to qualify for Europe after placing ninth in Serie A and runners-up to Bologna in the Coppa Italia. Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas, a former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea midfielder, led Como to 10th place, 14 points behind Milan.

Newcastle will play Champions League football again this season, but Eddie Howe has yet to bolster his team this summer.

Moretto told Milan News that as time passes, it becomes more difficult for Thiaw to say yes to Como.

“They tell me that Como is doing everything they can to persuade him, but the German would like to continue playing in a European competition, if feasible.

“There is some admiration from the Premier League. Last year, Newcastle was hunting for Thiaw, and they are still looking for a central defender now.

“So keep an eye on this path, at the moment there is nothing concrete, but I can confirm that Newcastle is also evaluating Thiaw, who, in addition to returning to Germany, would be interested in an experience in the Premier League.”

Eddie Howe comments on Malick Thiaw’s interest.

When asked about Newcastle’s interest in Thiaw last summer, head coach Howe said the defender is ‘a very excellent player’ but did neither confirm or deny it.

“I’m always reluctant to comment on these things [transfer speculation],” Howe remarked when questioned about Thiaw last summer. “He’s a player I know about, of course I do, from our games in the Champions League against Milan and yeah, he’s a very good player, but that’s it.”

Fabrizio Romano delivers an update on Malick Thiaw.

Over the weekend, transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano gave an update on Thiaw’s unclear status.

“Malick Thiaw, expected to make a decision on his future by mid next week with Como waiting for an answer on their proposal,” according to Romano. “The deal between Como and AC Milan for a €25 million [£21 million] package was confirmed two weeks ago. Still up to Malick.”

Despite Thiaw’s clear reluctance to join Como, the final decision will be left to the player, who is available for £21 million. If Newcastle want to make a move, this is a transaction that might be completed swiftly, given the player’s preference to play in the Champions League.

However, Newcastle are currently considering alternative options, with Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta and Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi on their radar.