A massive managerial shift at St James’ Park is already triggering radical changes behind the scenes. Following Eddie Howe’s departure, incoming manager Matthias Jaissle is wasted no time putting his stamp on the club, with reports indicating that the German coach has made Real Sociedad midfielder Luka Sucic his absolute “big wish” for the summer transfer window.
A Familiar Face for Jaissle’s New Project
While Newcastle United are still finalizing the formal announcements regarding Howe’s successor, internal planning is already operating at full throttle. Jaissle, who is set to make the jump to the Premier League, is eager to reshape the Magpies’ midfield core by bringing in players he intimately knows and trusts.
According to prominent reports from Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti, Sucic sits right at the top of Jaissle’s tactical wishlist. The pair share a strong professional history, having previously worked together during their time in Austria with FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg. During that successful spell, Sucic made a collective 73 appearances under Jaissle’s guidance—with 68 of those coming at Salzburg—building a formidable player-manager relationship that the coach is now keen to resurrect on Tyneside.
Newcastle Working Behind the Scenes to Seal the Deal
Eager to appease their incoming manager and kick-start a new era, Newcastle’s hierarchy are reportedly already hard at work exploring the logistics of the operation. The objective is to establish total alignment with both the player and the Spanish club.
Sucic made the switch to La Liga from Salzburg in 2024 for a reported fee of around €10 million. Over the past two seasons in Spain, the Croatian international has cemented his status as an integral part of Real Sociedad’s tactical plans. Tied down to a contract that runs until 2029, the midfielder is currently happy in San Sebastián, which has led many analysts to question whether La Real would be willing to entertain a sale this summer.
Nonetheless, Sportske Novosti notes that an exit cannot be entirely ruled out. If Newcastle are serious about landing Jaissle’s primary target, they will need to construct a compelling financial package that convinces both the player and the Spanish club to soften their stance.
A Busy Summer Ahead for the Magpies
Sucic is not the only name linked with a transition to Jaissle’s prospective squad. Recent reports have also highlighted the German’s admiration for Feyenoord talent Anis Hadj Moussa, signaling a comprehensive squad overhaul as Newcastle prepares for life under a new tactical regime.
With Transfermarkt currently valuing Sucic at €10 million, negotiations could prove fascinating if the Magpies choose to formalize their interest with an official bid. As the summer transfer window enters its frantic final weeks, Newcastle fans will be watching closely to see if the club can successfully deliver on their incoming manager’s biggest demand and secure one of La Liga’s brightest midfield talents.
