Newcastle want to trigger £34m+ release clause to sign Euro 2024 winner, PIF feel it’s a bargain

The international break often offers a welcome pause, a chance for teams to reset and for new signings to build confidence away from the pressure of the Premier League.

For Newcastle United, this interval has provided some encouraging signs from their attacking recruits, even if the overall start to the season has been slower than hoped.

With just two points from their opening three matches, the focus is firmly on securing a first win against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend.

Thankfully, the early indications from their players on international duty suggest that key pieces are starting to click into place.

The most expensive of these new pieces, German striker Nick Woltemade, offered a glimpse of his creative ability in his country’s 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland.

It was his clever assist that set up Serge Gnabry for the opening goal, a moment that will have pleased both his national manager and Eddie Howe.

Similarly, Anthony Elanga, who has shouldered more responsibility in attack, found the net for Sweden in their draw with Slovenia.

These contributions are vital for building the sharpness and belief needed to ignite Newcastle’s campaign.

While the focus has rightly been on replenishing the attack after the high-profile departures of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, the club’s recruitment strategy is clearly looking further ahead.

According to reports emerging from Spain, Newcastle have identified a potential long-term solution for their defense: Athletic Bilbao’s Dani Vivian.

The 26-year-old centre-back is not just any defender; he is a current European Championship winner with Spain and a Copa del Rey champion with his club. This is a player accustomed to success.

The interest, however, is far from exclusive. The same report mentions that Premier League rivals Manchester United and Aston Villa are also keen on activating his £34.6 million release clause, a figure considered a bargain for a player of his proven quality and experience.

This potential move is a clear signal of Newcastle’s ambition to build a squad capable of sustaining a challenge at the highest level, not just for now, but for the foreseeable future.

The logic behind the pursuit is sound. While the summer signing of Malick Thiaw added quality, the heart of Newcastle’s defense still relies on the experience of Fabian Schär and Dan Burn, both of whom are in their thirties.

Planning for their successors is not just prudent; it is essential. Vivian represents an ideal profile: a defender in his prime, with elite-level experience, and a skill set that aligns with the modern game.

While not the most physically imposing, his reading of the game is excellent averaging 4.6 clearances per match last season and his distribution is superb, completing 87.4% of his passes in La Liga.

At 26, he could be a mainstay in the defense for the next five or six years, providing the stability and quality needed for the club’s continued evolution.

For Newcastle, the competition for his signature from clubs like Manchester United is a sign they are shopping in the right market. Securing a player of Vivian’s caliber would be a statement that their project is very much on track.