Bruno Guimaraes has been shortlisted by Manchester City as midfield targets, with Pep Guardiola said to have pushed for his inclusion.
Sources in Manchester say the Premier League champions want to sign two midfielders (at least one in January) and that City could test Newcastle's resolve, whether in the new year or in the summer.
Eddie Howe would oppose any mid-season sale of key players like Guimaraes, especially as he is the team's captain and so central to the way they play.
But after this season, there is growing acceptance that, because of PSR, one of the club's big names will have to be sold, especially if he fails to qualify for the Champions League.
Guardiola likes Guimaraes and City were on the verge of making a move this summer. However, they were initially deterred by the £100m release clause which expired at the end of June. They later turned their attention to Ilkay Gundogan when it was announced that their former midfielder was available on a free transfer from Barcelona.
But the 34-year-old's return has not worked and with star midfielder Rodri out for the season due to a knee injury and Mateo Kovacic also currently sidelined, City will make strengthening that part of the pitch a priority. Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are also admired.
Interestingly, and this is one to keep an eye on, when Guimaraes was linked to City in the summer, sources in Manchester suggested that Matheus Nunes could be brought in as part of a deal.
Guimaraes, 27, has just over three years left on his contract, so Newcastle would be in a strong position when it comes to extracting a fee for the Brazilian.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell has a good relationship with City colleague Txiki Begiristain and so far I understand there have been no discussions between them about Guimaraes.
ALL EYES ON ARSENAL APPOINTMENT
As for the admiration for Newcastle's top stars, the possible arrival of Roberto Olabe as Arsenal's new sporting director would strengthen their interest in Alexander Isak.
The Gunners have held talks with the Spaniard – who will leave Real Sociedad at the end of the season – about replacing Edu in their top role at the Emirates Stadium.
It was at Sociedad that Olabe signed Isak from Borussia Dortmund for just £8m in 2019, before selling him to Newcastle for £63m three years later.
Confidential broke the story in October that Isak was out of contract talks with Newcastle, amid reports he was in line for a new deal. Discussions stalled during the summer as the club's hierarchy felt they could not afford to give the striker a pay rise. They also pointed out that he had four years left on his deal at the time.
My information remains that Arsenal have the Swede at the top of their list of targets for next summer, and Olabe's arrival would undoubtedly help their cause.
But for now, as Eddie Howe said in response to our story, it's up to Isak to prove his worth in a black and white shirt. With five goals in seven games since then, he certainly does that.
NO SAMBA REUNION FOR MIRA
While Newcastle fans don't want strikers like Alexander Isak to leave the club, another former striker recently couldn't get in!
Confidential understands that Mirandinha and one of his representatives came to the training ground hoping to see compatriots Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
However, as their arrival was unannounced and the players were unavailable at the time, the Brazilian was unable to gain entry.
However, the club did grant him access to St James' Park during last month's visit. Mira was here to raise awareness for Rotary International's Global Polio Eradication program.
TOUTS PROHIBITED
Newcastle has now banned 43 season ticket holders or members who sold tickets for home games on third-party websites.
The club and the Fan Advisory Board are keen for the figures to be known and act as a deterrent to others. Newcastle staff had noticed that some tickets were being resold for as much as £400.
There are also currently 750 ongoing cases from last season of fans being monitored for ticket promotion, while a whopping 52,000 SeatGeek bot attacks have been identified and prevented.
KK DECISION HELPS TONE?
Kevin Keegan may have inadvertently played a role in Newcastle's brilliant performance in the 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Confidential reported last month that the club was open to hosting Keegan for the match between his former clubs, with Wor Flags planning a special tribute to him.
However, word came back that Keegan would not be attending. I understand his position is that he will return if the club wins a trophy.
Given his absence, Wor Flags were given the space to change their plans and although the Keegan display would take place later, they decided a message was needed that was more relevant to the current team.
And so, as the players emerged from the tunnel, a giant banner reading 'Come in' was the first thing they saw, and the last thing they read before kick-off. It proved inspiring and Newcastle 'went right into it' in a performance that showed all the hallmarks of Eddie Howe's side at his best.
Don't underestimate the power of that banner.
COMMENTATOR SLIPS…
Now here's an interesting thought: a hybrid footballer of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak.
It wasn't until I got home after the Liverpool game and watched the highlights that I noticed the commentator use 'Anthony Isak' a few times.
Clive Tyldesley made an honest mistake – that can happen – but it did make me think how much that player would be worth if Isak's finishing ability was added to Gordon's game. I think they would be better than Mo Salah!
I was also wondering which pair of Newcastle stars from the past you would most like to team up with. Of all the ones I considered, I think Peter Shearer would be a multiple Ballon d'Or winner!
KEY ARRIVAL WANTED
Back to more serious matters, Newcastle want to make another important appointment off the field, and one that will work as part of the team that wants to give PSR the edge.
A new head of purchasing will soon be appointed – in layman's terms, this is the person responsible for purchasing goods and services from external sources – and they will report to Simon Capper, the club's chief financial officer.
The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing a brand new purchasing function within the club and will be tasked with engaging with local businesses.
Capper has his finger on the calculator when it comes to PSR, and any smart moves that reduce the club's operating costs all contribute to making the team more competitive on the pitch.
BRUNO IS MAGIC (FINALLY)!
It would be remiss of me not to mention a very important event this week, as I have mentioned several times in this column that it did not occur. Bruno Guimaraes won a toss at St James' Park!
The captain had lost pre-match spin at home in the Premier League on the previous six occasions this season, meaning Newcastle did not go downhill towards the Gallowgate End in the second half as is their preference.
So when he emerged from the two captains' meeting with the officials at the center spot on Wednesday and threw his arms in the air, everyone at St James' immediately knew his luck had turned!
MIDDEN FIELD MYFIELD…
Eddie Howe thinks I'm obsessed with his third midfielder, and he laughed when I asked him about Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton after the Liverpool game.
He did admit it was a valuable point of discussion and went on to give a long answer on the merits of their latest effort, with Tonali as number six.
Anyway, I have to run, I have to update to my 'midfield three' wall map. See you next week!
SHOW TEASER!
It's Toon Teaser time. Last week's puzzle was: can you name the 14 players who have played for Newcastle and Crystal Palace since 1992? The answers were; Patrick van Aanholt, Darren Ambrose, Shola Amoeba, Yohan Cabaye, Fumaca, Dwight Gayle, Fitz Hall, Paul Kitson, Shefki Kuqi, Craig Moore, Peter Ramage, Wayne Routledge, Loic Remy and Andros Townsend
This week's question is… can you name the FIFTEEN players who have played for Newcastle and Liverpool since 1992… No curveballs here, all achievable. Success!
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