After breaking their transfer record to welcome Nick Woltemade in the summer transfer window, Newcastle United are reportedly ready to do it all again to sign a Barcelona star in 2026.
Howe pleased with "great" Woltemade start
Missing out on several transfer targets and left scrambling for options towards the end of the transfer window proved more than worthwhile when the towering Woltemade nodded home to score a debut goal last time out. Getting off to the perfect start against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the German has instantly received Eddie Howe's seal of approval.
The Newcastle boss told reporters after watching his new striker wheel away in celebration on his debut: “It was a great moment for Nick. I was very pleased with how he played today.
“You saw his qualities, his technical qualities that we’ve been discussing and his intelligence. But most importantly for a striker, when the ball comes into the box, you need to be there. And he was.
“It was a great finish. I’m really pleased for him personally because that just settles him down and relaxes him. He’s a very humble guy, he wants to do well and he’s delighted to be here. I think it’s a great start.”
The Magpies showed great faith in Woltemade when they splashed out as much as £69m to secure his signature, but that may not be the end of their big spending.
PIF are seemingly keen to make further statements now that they've been handed some PSR breathing room courtesy of Alexander Isak's departure. And that has reportedly seen their attention turn towards a Barcelona star who is almost certain to leave if the right offer arrives next summer.
Newcastle ready to break transfer record for Olmo
According to reports in Spain, as relayed by TeamTalk, Newcastle are now ready to break their transfer record to sign Dani Olmo in 2026. The former RB Leipzig man is reportedly almost certain to leave if a big-money offer arrives next summer and those at St James' Park are ready to pay as much as €90m (£78m) for his signature.
£9m more than what they paid for Woltemade, Newcastle must be huge admirers of the versatile forward and may even get a closer glimpse of his talent in the Champions League this week. Barcelona travel to St James' Park to get their Champions League campaign underway and Lamine Yamal's injury may yet hand Olmo a rare start.
Barcelona's Dani Olmo in action with Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna and Nico Schlotterbeck
Barcelona's Dani Olmo in action with Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna and Nico Schlotterbeck
Whilst his time at Barcelona looks destined to come to an end, especially if the right offer arrives, Olmo is still full of talent and received high praise from former Leipzig boss Marco Rose, who said: "Dani Olmo is an outstanding footballer. It was a great performance by him and by the whole team too.
"The way he took the second goal was fantastic. The thing that impresses me even more though is how he drives the team on and helps the younger players."