A lot needs to change at Newcastle United in 2025.
This has been a difficult year for Newcastle United – the most challenging since PIF bought the club from Mike Ashley.
The 2023/24 campaign ended in disappointment with Eddie Howe’s side missing out on Europe, while the summer transfer window was very problematic.
There are multiple issues for PIF to address on and off the pitch at St James’ Park, and here are six things Geordie Boot Boys want to see the Newcastle United owners do in 2025.
Newcastle must sign a right-winger
This is something that Newcastle United needed to do in 2024, but failed. In fact, it is a position the Magpies actually got weaker in courtesy of Yankuba Minteh’s £33 million move to Brighton.
Newcastle tried to sign Anthony Elanga on transfer deadline day, but it was too little too late.
Now Paul Mitchell must make up for his summer error, and it is reported that Newcastle’s priority in January is to sign a right winger.
Eddie Howe desperately needs an upgrade on Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy, with Bryan Mbeumo considered Newcastle’s dream signing.
However, they are also looking at targets overseas, with Newcastle interested in Johan Bakayoko.
Paul Mitchell must land Fabian Schar’s long-term replacement
This is also something that Newcastle United tried to do in 2024 and failed.
Internally, Marc Guehi is the answer to the question ‘who replaces Fabian Schar at St James’ Park?’, but actually getting him to Tyneside remains easier said than done.
The summer saga was farcical, and it looks set to carry on into 2025. Newcastle are unlikely to sign Guehi in January, but he will be on the move next summer. Whether or not the Magpies can land him then remains to be seen.
Whether it is Guehi or someone else, Newcastle need a new centre-back. They need to bring their average age in that position down, while Fabian Schar is not getting any younger at 33-years-old.
Solve Newcastle’s striker situation
It is a hat-trick of issues Newcastle United tried to resolve in 2024 but failed!
Callum Wilson is the problem for Newcastle. While he is an excellent alternative to Alexander Isak, he is only useful when fit. That has been a rarity in 2024, with the England international suffering a fresh injury just weeks after his latest comeback.
Newcastle almost replaced Wilson with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the summer, and that is a rumour that could come around again in 2025. Both players are in the final years of their contracts, while it has been claimed that Newcastle will aim to sign a striker next year.
Whether it is Calvert-Lewin or someone else, Eddie Howe needs another forward. He needs a reliable replacement for Wilson to ease the pressure on Alexander Isak, whose future is also up in the air and could depend on where Newcastle finish in the Premier League this season.
Confirm plans for St James’ Park
Off the pitch, the big topic of debate amongst Newcastle United fans is the future of St James’ Park.
It is unknown whether the club will expand their current ground or build a new stadium, as PIF set about getting more fans to watch Newcastle United to increase the club’s revenue.
Newcastle’s revenue could be transformed by a new stadium, but there is also the emotional attachment to St James’ Park that must be considered.
If the decision is made to move, Newcastle United must remain in the heart of the city. That is absolutely pivotal.
There are so many factors to consider, with movement on the project expected in early 2025.
Newcastle need to be better sellers
PSR is holding Newcastle United back, and it will continue to do so until they increase their revenue.
That can be done with a bigger stadium, but that is a long-term project. Short-term, Newcastle need to be better sellers.
The Magpies are very poor at moving players on at the right time, Their record when it comes to selling players is extremely concerning, and remains a big problem.
Newcastle need to move fringe players on in 2025, which will relieve the pressure of PSR. It will also stop Newcastle from having to sell one of their major stars, which remains a serious concern.
Newcastle need to invest in more youth like Vakhtang Salia
It is all about PSR for Newcastle United and PIF in 2025. Fans are sick of hearing about it, but it is the major issue that needs to be addressed.
There are many ways to do that, one of which is investing more in youth. The club are already set to do that next year, with Newcastle agreeing a deal to sign Vakhtang Salia.
The Georgian teenager is an exciting talent, and the hope will be that he develops into a top player. When that happens, he will either play for the Newcastle first-team or be sold for a major profit.
It is the type of deal that Paul Mitchell needs to replicate in 2025. More potential stars like Salia need to arrive at St James’ Park, as Newcastle aim to find a way around the financial limitations of PSR.
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