Newcastle United are planning to hand out new long-term contracts to three key players — Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, and Sven Botman — once incoming sporting director Ross Wilson is officially appointed.
According to “i News” reporter Mark Douglas, Wilson’s arrival from Nottingham Forest is now at an advanced stage, with Newcastle aiming to complete the move before the end of the month.
Wilson’s appointment is viewed internally as the final piece in stabilizing the club’s football structure after Paul Mitchell’s short-lived tenure ended in May.
According to the report, the Magpies have been reluctant to open talks over contract extensions until Wilson’s hiring is finalized, but Tonali, Livramento, and Botman are all expected to be rewarded for their form and importance to Eddie Howe’s project.
“The Magpies are holding off on opening contract talks with star midfielder Sandro Tonali until a new sporting director is in place,” Douglas wrote. “However, The i Paper understands that the Italy international – along with Tino Livramento and Sven Botman – is in line for a new deal if terms can be thrashed out.”
Tonali, whose current deal runs until 2028, has become one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders — even earning praise from Paul Scholes as “the best midfielder in the Premier League.”
Livramento, currently recovering from a knee injury, is also set for improved terms reflecting his rise in status and growing international profile with England. Botman, meanwhile, has re-established himself as a defensive leader since returning from injury and remains a cornerstone of Newcastle’s long-term defensive core.
Eddie Howe has publicly supported the push to bring in Wilson, insisting that a proper sporting director would “lead the club forward in many different ways.”
The manager’s influence on footballing matters remains strong, but both he and new CEO David Hopkinson see Wilson’s arrival as critical for streamlining decision-making and ensuring alignment ahead of the January transfer window.
