Newcastle United are looking into staging their League Cup win celebrations on the Town Moor rather than having an open-top bus parade through the city.
Newcastle’s staff and players are determined to enjoy winning the club’s first domestic trophy for 70 years, with the team spending more than a week in Dubai, before heading home for the victory celebration on March 29.
The Town Moor is a huge green space, close to the city centre, that is also home to the Hoppings in June, Europe’s largest travelling fairground.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, meanwhile, will tell his players and supporters that winning the trophy marks the dawn of a new era after receiving the full backing of chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan to build an even better team.
Howe told friends that Sunday’s victory over Liverpool was the greatest day of his career, but has insisted it has only made him hungry for more silverware.
After the celebrations have been concluded, Howe – who will be given the Freedom of the City in recognition of his achievements – and sporting director Paul Mitchell are aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Plans will soon be drawn up for the summer, with a pre-season tour of Asia being worked on, as well as a training camp in Germany.
Recruitment work has also been going on behind the scenes and sources have indicated this summer will be the most ambitious window Newcastle have embarked on since the early days after the Saudi led takeover.
However, for Howe, there will also be a strong message delivered to staff and players that they still have much to play for this season, with a place in next season’s Champions League still up for grabs.
Telegraph Sport looks at the three key talking points heading into the summer.
Persuading Isak to stay
When asked about his future before Newcastle’s win over Liverpool, Isak was either relaxed or non-committal depending on how well you know him.
As he has done repeatedly over the last 18 months, the 25-year-old expressed his happiness at Newcastle and confirmed he will discuss a new deal with the club at the end of the season.
But there was no long-term commitment and nothing to definitively suggest he intends to sign an extension to a contract that still has more than three years left to run. But he will at least listen to what is on offer and make his mind up then.
Telegraph Sport has previously reported that Newcastle would not sell Isak, even if he does not sign a new deal, in the summer. An asking price of more than £150 million was deliberately designed to warn off any potential suitors. It would take silly money to even get them to engage in negotiations. That message came from chairman Yasir Al-Ramayyan in the winter and has been reaffirmed since.
However, if the player decides he wants to leave, that will make things more complicated. That is why a pay rise and a new deal is important in the short term. It would send a clear message to rivals thinking about trying to unsettle their star striker.
Privately, senior sources have told Telegraph Sport they do not think anyone will be able to afford Isak in the summer but they are braced for all sorts of attempts to unsettle him in the hope of lowering his price tag. Expect bids to be leaked into the public domain that are around the £80-90 million mark, way below Newcastle’s valuation, but designed to turn Isak’s head.
A day barely passes without Arsenal, Liverpool or Barcelona being linked with a move, including claims they have already made contact with the player’s representatives and personal terms would not be a problem. Expect to see plenty more in the coming months.
Newcastle, though, will dig in. Howe has an excellent relationship with Isak and will do his bit to keep him focused on Newcastle. Isak may consider alternative clubs in the summer, but that is not the same thing as agitating to leave.
If he does not sign a new deal, a move in 2026 becomes far more likely. However, in terms of this year, it would be a big surprise if Newcastle let him go, regardless of the money on offer. With three years left on his contract, they are in a very strong position to retain his services for at least another 12 months.
Last dance for some
Having won the club’s first domestic trophy for 70 years – as well as qualified for the Champions League for the first time in two decades – this group of players are assured of legendary status on Tyneside. They have performed brilliantly for manager Eddie Howe, but there was already a sense that this campaign was the “last dance” for many.
The likes of Kieran Trippier (34), Callum Wilson (33), Fabian Schär (33) Dan Burn (32) and Martin Dubravka (36) are in the latter stages of their careers and not all of them will remain next season.
Burn will continue to be an integral part of Howe’s plans and Schär is close to agreeing a new contract – although he may have to be content with a squad role next term.
The other three could well move on. Wilson will be out of contract and Newcastle intend to sign another centre-forward in the summer. They will also be in the market for a goalkeeper, which is likely to make Dubravka surplus to requirements and he almost moved to Saudi Arabia in January.
As for Trippier, he has been interested in a new challenge for some time and could finally be allowed to depart by Howe. Others are playing for their futures, including midfielders Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.
An exciting summer
Multiple sources have told Telegraph Sport that sporting director Paul Mitchell is on a mission to lower the average age of the squad. The plan is to focus on young talent, both at home and abroad. Although there will be at least one marquee name considered, almost certainly with Premier League experience.
The working dynamic between Mitchell and Howe has had some friction in the past but both men have reassured the board, as well as chairman Al-Rumayyan, they can plan for the summer window with a collaborative approach.
The power dynamic is an interesting one. Howe is arguably stronger than ever. He led recruitment in the construction of the team that won the League Cup and will want to retain the final say on new arrivals.
Mitchell, though, has a proven track record in this area and is widely considered to be one of the leading figures in Europe. The bottom line is they have to work together. The club cannot lose sight of the fact that they need to give Howe the type of team and players he wants if they are going to build on their success.
It is too early to talk about firm targets but the priority will be to sign a right-sided forward, a right-sided centre-back, a centre-forward and a goalkeeper.
Newcastle want to strengthen in every department, with Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford a long standing target.
Some of the wingers discussed include Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Brentford Bryan Mbeumo, PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko and Sporting Lisbon’s Francisco Trincao.
In defence, Newcastle retain an interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who they failed to sign last summer, but admit a deal is difficult. While Bournemouth pair Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi have long been admired.
Justin Kluivert is yet another Bournemouth player who has featured prominently in preliminary transfer discussions and it would not be a surprise if Newcastle make a bid.
Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is another long-term target, while Newcastle scouts have regularly watched Lille striker Jonathan David and Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Despite rejecting a move to Newcastle two years ago, Eintracht Frankfurt. Hugo Ekitike also continues to be monitored.
