Newcastle haven’t exactly stood still this summer, but their rebuild still feels short of a few key ingredients.
Matthias Jaissle has inherited a squad being pulled in two directions. The club have spent heavily on potential, while several of the players who gave the side authority and personality have gone.
Goalkeepers Ewen Jaouen and Lukáš Horníček have arrived, with Hornicek becoming the fifth senior addition of the window. Winger Bazoumana Toure, midfielder Sean Steur and Monaco prospect Aladji Bamba have also joined.
It is an exciting group, although an inexperienced one.
Newcastle are also closing in on Benfica full-back Amar Dedic, who previously played under Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg, with Fabrizio Romano giving his ‘here we go’ to the deal today.
The problem is obvious.
Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães have all left, stripping serious quality from a team already adjusting to Eddie Howe’s resignation and a change of manager.
Newcastle need a midfielder ready to make an impact in the Premier League right now, and their first attempt to add that experience took them to Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
That chase fell apart last week. Newcastle were willing to meet Marseille’s demands, reportedly around £15 million, but Højbjerg decided against returning to England.
Attention has now turned towards a player who knows exactly what the league demands.
Joao Palhinha is back at Bayern Munich after spending last season on loan at Tottenham. The midfielder, now 31, played 30 Premier League matches for Spurs, scoring four times, and was one of their players of the season.
Palhinha was a huge success during two seasons at Fulham before Bayern finally signed him in 2024, one year after their first move collapsed on deadline day.
He is not a midfielder who will replace Guimaraes’ imagination, but Palhinha’s strengths lie elsewhere.
He protects the defence, attacks loose balls and gives more adventurous players the freedom to roam forward, which could suit Jaissle, especially with Lewis Miley and Bamba still developing.
|
Joao Palhinha’s career in numbers |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Seasons |
League apps |
League goals |
All competition apps |
All competitions goals |
|
Sporting CP B |
2013 to 2018 |
21 |
1 |
21 |
1 |
|
Moreirense, loan |
2015/16 |
29 |
0 |
29 |
0 |
|
Belenenses, loan |
2016/17 |
13 |
1 |
18 |
1 |
|
Sporting CP |
2016 to 2022 |
72 |
4 |
95 |
7 |
|
Braga, loan |
2018 to 2020 |
50 |
4 |
76 |
6 |
|
Fulham |
2022 to 2024 |
68 |
7 |
79 |
8 |
|
Bayern Munich |
2024 onwards |
17 |
0 |
25 |
0 |
|
Tottenham, loan |
2025/26 |
33 |
5 |
45 |
7 |
|
Career total |
303 |
24 |
388 |
30 |
|
Newcastle have bought for tomorrow this summer, but Palhinha would be a signing for the opening weekend.
While it was reported that Palhinha prefers a move to Aston Villa over Newcastle, the Magpies have now been handed a significant boost.
Newcastle in talks to sign Joao Palhinha as Villa loan hopes ‘dashed’
Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas now reports that talks are taking place over a possible move to St James’ Park.
Palhinha had been hoping to join Aston Villa on loan, but Bayern were not prepared to approve that structure. Villa’s attempt has stalled and the Portugal international is now considering what comes next.
There is still work to do.
Bayern want a permanent sale, while Palhinha’s £135,000-per-week guaranteed wages, age and contract until 2028 could make that a pretty big financial commitment.
Newcastle cannot afford another long chase without a positive ending, yet this deal makes football sense.
For a club beginning again under a new coach, Jaissle needs a fully reliable platform before his younger recruits can flourish.