The final week of the January transfer window has arrived, and Newcastle United have yet to make a signing.
Newcastle United are apparently planning a £16 million deal to bolster Eddie Howe’s attacking ranks, while speculation about Miguel Almiron’s future at St James Park continues to dominate headlines.
According to Sport Witness, Turkish news site Milliyet reports that the Magpies are willing to pay €19 million to capture Besiktas forward Semih Kılıçsoy ahead of their Premier League rivals before the window closes early next week. The versatile 19-year-old can play on either wing or as the main attacker, and he has already received his first call-up to Turkey’s senior side after making his debut in a goalless draw against Italy last summer.
Kılıçsoy, who scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 35 appearances last season, has continued to impress this season with two goals and six assists as Besiktas progressed to the Europa League knockout stages and took their first steps in the Turkish Cup with a 1-0 win against Sivasspor earlier this month.
His form has reportedly piqued the interest of several European teams in recent months, with Newcastle being linked with a bid for the teenager during the summer transfer window. Villa are also reported to be among his admirers, but according to the report, Newcastle could make the first move for the forward in the coming days as they seek to strengthen their offensive ranks before the transfer season shuts.
Former Magpies manager could lead Brazilians in Club World Cup campaign.
Former Newcastle, Liverpool, and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is apparently set to make a surprise comeback to the bench.
Respected Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has stated that the man who led United to the Championship title in 2016 is one of three possibilities to take over Brazilian club Botafogo after former manager Artur Jorge left earlier this month. The reigning Copa Libertadores champions are reportedly mulling a move for Benitez, although they are also interested in Santa Clara boss Vasco Matos and former Barcelona coach Tata Martino.
Balague wrote on X (previously Twitter): “Botafogo is in the final phases of determining who will be their new coach. The position has been empty since Artur Jorge’s resignation, and there are three candidates: Portuguese Vasco Matos, @rafabenitezweb, and Argentine Tata Martino. Botafogo will compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in June 2025. They earned their place after winning their first Copa Libertadores title in 2024.”
If Benitez is given the opportunity to return to management at Botafogo, he will lead his team into group stage matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, and the Seattle Sounders during the contentious FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.
