Newcastle Eyes Everton Key Player, but Here's Why It’s Complicated

NUFC TALK TV
3 days ago
3 min read

Newcastle United are making quiet but powerful moves right now — from transfer whispers to young talent on the brink and a TV schedule that could make their season even bigger. Here are three explosive updates that every Magpie fan needs to know:

1. Newcastle Eyes Everton’s James Garner — But It’s Complicated

Newcastle are reportedly keeping tabs on James Garner, the 24-year-old Everton midfielder who's been one of the Toffees’ most consistent performers this season. Goodison News+1

Garner’s current contract includes an option to extend to 2027, meaning Newcastle would likely need to pay over £20 million to land him. Goodison News
Despite their interest, there have been no formal talks yet — Newcastle seem to be playing it smart, spying Garner as a long-term backup or potential replacement rather than rushing a deal. Coming Home Newcastle
Why it matters: Even with a stacked midfield (Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton), adding Garner could give Howe the firepower and depth to compete on multiple fronts — especially if injuries or departures hit.

LISTEN TO NUFC TALK RADIO LIVE HERE:

2. Young James Garner Alert: Hernes Could Be Gone for Good

19-year-old Travis Hernes has officially moved on loan to Dutch side FC Groningen for the 2025/26 season. Newcastle United+1

Here’s the kicker: The loan deal includes a purchase option. Groningen could sign him permanently at the end of the season. NewcastleWorld+1
Hernes, who came through Newcastle’s youth ranks, has spoken about wanting to develop — and he sees Groningen as the perfect place to mature in a different tactical and technical environment. Shields Gazette
For Newcastle, this isn’t just a simple loan — it’s a real test of Hernes’ long-term value. If Groningen triggers the clause, Howe’s squad-building might just include a sell-on profit.

3. TV Goes Wild — Newcastle’s January Schedule Blows Up

Big news: three more Newcastle matches in January 2026 have been moved for live TV coverage. NUFC The Mag

Here’s what changed:

The game at Wolves is now Sunday, Jan 18, live on Sky Sports. NUFC The Mag+1
Aston Villa will visit St. James’ Park on Sunday, Jan 25 (2pm GMT), also on Sky. NUFC The Mag
And the trip to Liverpool on Jan 31? That’s now 8pm kick-off, aired on TNT Sports. NUFC The Mag

Talk about a TV bonanza. The Magpies now have 17 of their next 18 games picked up by major broadcasters. NUFC Blog

Why Newcastle fans should care: More TV exposure = bigger spotlight, more sponsorship appeal, and increased pressure.
It also shakes up travel plans and fan logistics — January is already a tricky month, and these shifts could have real impact on matchday vibes.

🔍 The Bigger Picture: Newcastle Is Quietly Positioning Themselves for a Breakout

Smart scouting + youth planning: Pursuing Garner and potentially letting Hernes go permanently shows Newcastle’s dual strategy — invest in experienced depth and develop youth.
Commercial strength: With so many games on TV, Newcastle are maximizing their visibility and financial potential.
Ambition on display: These moves may not be headline-grabbing transfers, but they scream long-term vision.

Bottom line: Newcastle might not be shouting from the rooftops — but their actions are doing all the talking. Whether it’s shrewd transfer monitoring, letting young talent test themselves abroad, or securing mammoth TV deals, the Magpies are building quietly … and very, very purposefully.