Newcastle and Sunderland in contact to sign ex-Chelsea star with January move likely

Newcastle‘s next away day comes with a simple demand: keep the back door shut.

Matthias Jaissle takes his side to Crystal Palace on Sunday after shipping four goals at Leeds and another four at Coventry in their last two Premier League trips.

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Villa then left St James’ Park with a 1-0 win, with three defeats in four league outings leaving Jaissle facing awkward questions and Newcastle badly needing to stop the slide this weekend.

Newcastle sit only a point above their hosts, which underlines how much both sides need a result at Selhurst Park.

Palace have problems of their own, with Brighton hammering them 5-0 last weekend before Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Besiktas ended 2-2.

Jaissle expects a response from the Eagles, so this is hardly a fixture Newcastle can treat as a soft landing.

Anthony Elanga could return to the squad after training this week, although the winger is not ready for a full match. His potential availability offers some encouragement as Newcastle try to get moving again.

REUTERS/Chris Radburn

The defensive questions will remain, however, and a familiar name has surfaced ahead of January.

Newcastle enquire about Fikayo Tomori as Sunderland enter January transfer picture

REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli

TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reports that Newcastle have enquired about Fikayo Tomori, with rivals Sunderland also among the clubs who have had contact over the AC Milan defender.

A possible move now has some momentum behind it.

Bailey says a Premier League return is looking increasingly likely in January, with Milan prepared to discuss an exit.

The Italian club’s position is shaped by Tomori’s contract, with his current deal finishing in June 2027, putting January as their final chance to collect a fee before he could leave for nothing.

Tomori is also understood to welcome the prospect of playing in England again.

REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

That combination will have clubs paying attention, and Newcastle’s neighbours are firmly part of the story. Sunderland’s involvement could add a little extra spice if either side decides to pursue a deal.

Tomori started Milan’s 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday, when interested clubs were watching. Mike Maignan’s early red card made it a difficult night to draw sweeping conclusions about the defender.

Newcastle do at least know their way around negotiations with Milan. The clubs have previously dealt over Sandro Tonali and Malick Thiaw, a relationship Bailey believes could help if discussions develop.

There would be a familiar face in the dressing room, too, with Tomori having played alongside Thiaw in Italy.

At 28, the former Chelsea player would bring experience of English football and the demands of competing for honours abroad.

He joined Milan in January 2021 and helped them win Serie A the following year, with an Italian Supercup triumph following in 2025.

Tomori has also played Champions League knockout football, including Milan’s run to the semi-finals in 2023, giving him experience of demanding European nights.

That background gives Newcastle something to consider as they assess how to strengthen a defence that has looked far too easy to hurt on the road.