Published Aug 29, 2026, 1:10 PM GMT+1

The Magpies boss said it's "too early" to put a clear timeframe on when William Osula will be back ahead of the trip to North London, and he's "working hard" with Dan Burn and Joelinton to make a return. He also confirmed Bazoumana Toure, who was substituted at half-time in Wednesday's Carabao Cup match, was "feeling a bit of pain" but should be "fine" for the weekend.

There was a fitness boost too, with the boss confirming new signing Nico Gonzalez has trained with the squad: "He trained with us. And he looks sharp. He's an option.

Asked about the club's approach to the final week of the transfer window, he said: "We want to be smart. We don't want to act in panic, so I'm really optimistic that things will happen."

Newcastle rejected in £60m midfielder move

The Magpies will of course be facing former midfielder Sandro Tonali on Saturday, and the club have spent big to rebuild in that area after two thirds of their iconic trio walked out the door this summer, bringing in Sean Steur, Gonzalez and Aladji Bamba, but they're yet to add a genuine attacking midfielder to Jaissle's ranks.

Well, according to Sacha Tavolieri, it's not for a lack of trying. The journalist has revealed Newcastle submitted a €70m (£60m) bid for Como and Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina, which would make him their third most expensive signing of all time behind only Nick Woltemade and Alexander Isak.

The Serie A side consider the 23-year-old "untouchable" however and have no intention of sanctioning a sale this late in the window unless they receive a fee more in line with the midfield deals taking place within the Premier League. Indeed, Football FanCast sources understand Como's stance could would only soften with a bid closer to the €90m (£77m), a figure Newcastle are unlikley to reach having already invested over £100m in midfield this summer.

The 23 year-old joined Como from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2025 and has enjoyed a superb rise since, becoming one of the most sought-after attacking midfielders in Serie A, with manager Cesc Fabregas heaping praise on him last season: "Martin is a player of immense quality. He's intelligent on the ball, strong in duels, and has the personality to make things happen in key moments. He fits exactly the kind of football we're building here."

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic echoed that sentiment after a pre-World Cup friendly against Belgium: "He was very good, very committed and in excellent form. He was probably our most dangerous player in attack tonight."

Whether Newcastle make a formal move in the final days of the window is likely dependent on Como's stance softening, but an exit for Nick Woltemade could also force Jaissle back into the market for attacking reinforcements - the German has been linked with a move to Napoli.