Newcastle United have finally moved to settle weeks of speculation by confirming their intentions regarding two of the most important young players in the squad, and the news will not be welcomed by their Premier League rivals.
After strong links connecting Tino Livramento with Manchester City and Liverpool, and similar rumours pulling Sven Botman toward Chelsea, the club’s transfer chief Ross Wilson has stepped forward to make the situation clear. Both players, he says, will be offered new long-term deals at St James’ Park.
It has been a tense period filled with whispers and uncertainty. Livramento’s rise has naturally attracted attention from clubs with deeper pockets, while Botman’s quality as a left-footed centre-back has made him a target for teams looking to strengthen their defensive lines.
Newcastle fans have waited for someone in authority to settle the debate, and Wilson finally delivered that reassurance. He explained that his first days in the job were spent digging through every contract on the books, trying to understand where the club was strong and where trouble might appear. It didn’t take him long to identify the players Newcastle simply cannot afford to lose.
Wilson pointed out that Sandro Tonali’s long-term deal until 2029 means the club can set aside speculation about the Italian midfielder. But Livramento and Botman are different cases, and the club knows their futures must be secured sooner rather than later.
He confirmed that discussions are already underway, though he admitted that some negotiations take more time than others. For now, the intention is clear: Newcastle want them both to stay, even if there is no guarantee yet that the players will agree to fresh terms.
This clarity comes at an important moment, as the January window begins to move into focus. Supporters have wondered how Newcastle will approach the next trading period, especially after last summer’s enormous £250 million spending spree.
That level of investment followed two quieter, PSR-restricted windows, and inevitably triggered questions about whether the club would need to tighten its belt again. Wilson dismissed the idea of serious limitations this winter, confirming that Newcastle can spend if they decide to.
But he also stressed that it would not be anything like the dramatic outlay seen in the summer. Spending in January, he said, has to make sense both tactically and financially, and above all, it must align with the club’s long-term plan for 2026 and beyond.
Wilson revealed that he and Eddie Howe have not yet discussed specific transfer targets for January. Instead, their conversations have focused on evaluating the current squad: its balance, its depth, and how Howe feels about individual performances.
This reflection phase is crucial before any meaningful moves are made. Howe wants to be sure of what he has, while Wilson wants to be sure the club invests in the right places.
Meanwhile, scouting work continues in the background as normal, with Newcastle’s recruitment team constantly reviewing potential options around Europe and beyond. The club understands that opportunities can emerge quickly in January, and they intend to be ready.
Even though Newcastle can spend this winter, Wilson emphasised that the club intends to remain smart and creative. January is notoriously difficult for making major signings at the right price, and the club must weigh every decision against the larger summer plan.
The message from Wilson is that Newcastle will only move if the right opportunity appears one that fits the club’s long-term design and not just a short-term patch.
The biggest takeaway from Wilson’s comments, however, is the club’s commitment to protecting its core. Livramento and Botman are viewed as fundamental pieces of Newcastle’s future. Losing either would weaken the project and hand a major advantage to rival clubs that have been circling for months.
By making their intentions public now, Newcastle send a message to the rest of the league: their best young talent will not be allowed to leave without a fight.
It also sends a message to the players themselves. Newcastle want to build something lasting, not simply react to transfer pressure. Wilson’s transparency is part of a wider shift in the club’s communication, signalling stability, structure and ambition at a time when rumours could easily have created panic.
As the January window approaches, fans will inevitably speculate about possible incomings and departures. But for now, Wilson has given them the most important reassurance of all: the club’s future lies in strengthening its foundations, not selling them off.
Livramento and Botman represent the type of players Newcastle want to build around, and the club has now made it very clear that they intend to keep them in black and white for the long road ahead.
