Newcastle United are already planning ahead as they look to strengthen their squad, and attention is beginning to turn toward some bold targets for the summer.
One name that has caught the eye is a high-profile England international currently playing for Real Madrid, with a reported price tag of around £35 million. However, it now appears clear where Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez stands on the matter.
The Magpies have experienced a mixed Premier League campaign so far. There have been encouraging moments, especially in cup competitions, where a place in the EFL Cup semi-final has given supporters something to look forward to.
In Europe, Eddie Howe has also overseen some strong performances that suggest Newcastle are capable of competing at a high level. Still, the manager knows that league form remains the foundation of success, and that consistency must improve if the club is to reach its ambitions.
Howe has been open about managing his squad carefully, particularly when it comes to players returning from injury. Yoane Wissa is one example. While his quality is obvious, Howe has stressed that the forward needs to be eased back into regular starts.
The intense schedule, with matches every few days, means Newcastle cannot take risks with player fitness. The manager has made it clear that Wissa will get more chances, but only when his body is fully ready to cope with the demands.
January is shaping up to be an important month for Newcastle in terms of squad planning, especially in midfield and attacking areas. AZ Alkmaar youngster Kees Smit is one of the players on the club’s radar, with reports suggesting a deal worth around £22 million could be explored.
He fits the profile Newcastle like: young, talented, and with room to grow into a key figure.
Beyond January, Newcastle are also exploring bigger, more ambitious moves, and that has led to links with Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The England international has endured a challenging first season in Spain after leaving Liverpool, largely due to injury problems. A series of muscle issues have limited him to just 11 appearances, disrupting any chance of building rhythm or confidence.
Despite those setbacks, Real Madrid remain calm. Florentino Pérez and the club’s hierarchy believe Alexander-Arnold will come good once he fully adapts to life in La Liga. From their point of view, the issues have been physical rather than technical.
When fit, he has already shown flashes of his quality, including an assist earlier this month, before another injury setback halted his progress once again.
Newcastle, along with Manchester City and Manchester United, are said to be monitoring the situation closely. Any Premier League return would be closely watched, especially given Alexander-Arnold’s strong ties to Liverpool.
Even so, his reputation as one of the best technical full-backs in world football remains intact. Former Premier League defender Stephen Kelly previously described him as one of the finest technicians in the game, a label that still carries weight.
From Newcastle’s perspective, the appeal is obvious. A player of Alexander-Arnold’s experience and quality would instantly raise the level of the squad. He offers creativity, leadership, and a deep understanding of the Premier League.
However, Real Madrid are in no rush to sell. Pérez believes patience will pay off, and the club wants to give the player time to settle, recover fully, and show his true value.
As things stand, Real Madrid are expected to resist any offers, even those around £35 million. The summer window may bring a period of reflection, especially if injuries continue or if the adaptation process does not progress as hoped. Until then, Newcastle may have to wait and see whether this ambitious move becomes realistic.
For now, the message from Madrid is clear. Alexander-Arnold is part of their plans, and they are prepared to stand by him. Newcastle’s interest shows their growing ambition on the European stage, but turning that interest into a deal will require patience, timing, and perhaps a change of stance from one of the most powerful figures in world football.
