The last twelve months have taken Newcastle United supporters on a real emotional ride, full of highs, lows, and plenty of unanswered questions. In March, the club finally brought an end to a painful 70-year wait for silverware by beating Arne Slot’s Liverpool 2-1 in the EFL Cup final.
For many fans, it felt like the start of something special, a moment that could mark a new era at St James’ Park. The celebrations were deserved and long overdue, and for a brief period, Newcastle looked like a club truly on the rise.
That optimism did not last as long as many hoped. Later in the summer, Liverpool had the final laugh by swooping in to sign Alexander Isak after a drawn-out transfer saga that clearly unsettled Eddie Howe’s squad.
The noise around that deal disrupted Newcastle’s momentum and left the team struggling to find rhythm once the season got going. Performances became inconsistent, and confidence dipped at key moments.
As the year closed, Newcastle scraped past Burnley with a 3-1 away win that looked comfortable on paper but told a different story on the pitch. It was another match where mistakes on the ball crept in, and the overall display raised more concerns than confidence.
Sitting around tenth in the league table, the mood among supporters is mixed. There is relief at picking up points, but also frustration at seeing the team stuck in mid-table when expectations are higher.
With the January transfer window now open, attention has quickly turned to recruitment. Eddie Howe knows changes are needed, especially in attack.
Against Burnley, Newcastle were careless in possession, with Anthony Gordon alone giving the ball away 17 times. While Gordon has quality, his form has been patchy, and patience is wearing thin.
That has led to fresh links with attacking players across Europe, including Hoffenheim youngster Bazoumana Touré and Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga, who has already caught the eye despite his age.
However, the name generating the most interest is Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb. Reports suggest Newcastle remain firmly in the race, even though Borussia Dortmund are currently leading the chase with talks of a loan deal that could become permanent for around £30 million.
Newcastle are not alone, with clubs like Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace all monitoring the situation closely.
There is no denying that signing Bobb would be a gamble. Injuries have disrupted his progress at City, and he has not enjoyed a long, uninterrupted run in the first team.
Still, when fit, he has shown flashes of real quality, enough to suggest he could thrive with regular minutes. In many ways, this potential deal feels similar to the signing of Lewis Hall last summer.
When Newcastle paid around £28 million for Hall, there were doubts. He had limited senior experience at Chelsea and was still finding his feet at the top level. Fast forward to now, and Hall looks like one of the smartest signings the club has made in recent years.
He has made the left-back role his own, offering energy, bravery on the ball, and consistency in big matches. His performances at Old Trafford and elsewhere have shown maturity well beyond his age, and he has quickly become a key part of Howe’s plans.
Bobb could follow a similar path. Like Hall, he is young, versatile, and fearless when given responsibility. Newcastle’s current wide options have not fully convinced, and that opens the door for a new face to make an immediate impact.
Bobb is comfortable playing on either flank, can drift inside, and is technically strong in tight spaces. That flexibility would appeal greatly to Howe, who values players that can adapt during games.
Below is a simple look at Bobb’s record at Manchester City across different positions, highlighting just how versatile he can be:
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Wing | 62 | 16 | 13 |
| Attacking Midfield | 31 | 7 | 12 |
| Left Wing | 23 | 2 | 3 |
| Centre Forward | 20 | 5 | 8 |
| Right Midfield | 2 | 0 | 0 |
These numbers, taken across various age levels and senior appearances, show a player who knows how to influence games in different roles. Bobb has been described as “incredible” and even “magical” by those who have watched him closely, and there is a growing belief that he simply needs trust and game time to explode.
Lewis Hall has already shown what can happen when Newcastle back talent early and give it room to grow. Bobb will believe he can do the same if given the chance.
For a team searching for spark, creativity, and renewed belief, he might just be the right player at the right time. As Newcastle look to climb out of their late-2025 slump, this could be another bold move that pays off in the long run.
