Alexander Isak signs new contract, PIF sanction £1.2b move – three Newcastle predictions for rest of 24/25

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With the January transfer window now closed, Newcastle United can set their full focus on a strong finish to the 2024/25 season.

The Magpies currently find themselves in a great position. A superb run of form over the past 12 games means Newcastle United have climbed to sixth in the Premier League table.

Eddie Howe is expected to qualify for Europe this season, and that is certainly on the cards. England are set to be handed five Champions League qualification spots and Newcastle are currently joint fifth with Manchester City.

But if Howe is going to achieve that target, he will have to do it with a weakened squad after no new signings arrived in January after Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly’s departure.

Newcastle have certainly taken a gamble by not recruiting for the second half of the campaign, but there are still plenty of reasons for fans to be hopeful. Here are three predictions for the remainder of 2024/25.

Alexander Isak signs a new contract

Newcastle may have not signed anyone over the winter, but the club did keep hold of its biggest stars, including Alexander Isak.

Isak has been linked with Arsenal, but there was no chance he was going anywhere in the winter after Newcastle put a £150m asking price on Isak.

Isak is under contract at St James’ Park until 2028, but the Magpies are eager to tie him down to a new deal to reward his superb form and end speculation over his future.

Newcastle entered talks with Isak over a new deal earlier this season, but those talks stalled and were postponed.

However, Isak will be offered a new deal this summer once the season ends, with a switch to Alan Shearer’s legendary No.9 shirt on the cards.

The 25-year-old is loving his football on Tyneside and signing a new deal during the business end of the season would provide a huge boost to the club.

PIF make £1.2bn stadium decision

Newcastle owners PIF are closing in on a decision over the future of St James’ Park.

Two options lay on the table – to stay put, redevelop and expand St James’ Park, or to spend £1.2bn on building a new stadium nearby. Likely in Leazes Park.

Newcastle fans are leaning towards a new stadium and it seems PIF are now doing the same. A few hurdles remain, such as the location of the build, but it seems chiefs would prefer a new stadium.

• PIF could go one better than Man United and pay £2bn upfront to imitate 90,000 stadium at Newcastle United

We predict that PIF will sanction a £1.2bn stadium build, with stadium construction set to begin in 2025.

Newcastle secure return to European football

Fans will hope that Newcastle can replicate the success of the 2022/23 season when Howe led the Magpies to a Champions League return for the first time in 20 years.

That is certainly a possibility, but Newcastle face plenty of competition over the top five spots in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	23	17	5	1	56	21	35	56
2	ArsenalArsenal	24	14	8	2	49	22	27	50
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	24	14	5	5	40	27	13	47
4	ChelseaChelsea	24	12	7	5	47	31	16	43
5	Man CityManchester City	24	12	5	7	48	35	13	41
6	NewcastleNewcastle	24	12	5	7	42	29	13	41
7	B’mouthBournemouth	24	11	7	6	41	28	13	40
8	Aston VillaAston Villa	24	10	7	7	34	37	-3	37
9	FulhamFulham	24	9	9	6	36	32	4	36
10	BrightonBrighton	24	8	10	6	35	38	-3	34
11	BrentfordBrentford	24	9	4	11	42	42	0	31
12	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	24	7	9	8	28	30	-2	30
13	Man UtdManchester United	24	8	5	11	28	34	-6	29
14	TottenhamTottenham	24	8	3	13	48	37	11	27
15	West HamWest Ham	24	7	6	11	29	46	-17	27
16	EvertonEverton	23	6	8	9	23	28	-5	26
17	WolvesWolves	24	5	4	15	34	52	-18	19
18	LeicesterLeicester	24	4	5	15	25	53	-28	17
19	IpswichIpswich	24	3	7	14	22	49	-27	16
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	24	2	3	19	18	54	-36	9

Newcastle owners believe Champions League is possible with a top-five finish in sight, but Howe is also competing in two cup competitions.

Winning the Carabao Cup would secure Europa League football next year, but sights will be set on the Champions League.

After narrowly missing out last season, we predict that Newcastle will return to Europe next season. Qualifying for the Champions League is a tall order, but this team certainly has the potential to finish inside the top five.