Newcastle now ‘very close’ to £35m Victor Munoz agreement amid World Cup medical plan

Newcastle United have been extremely busy in the early stages of the summer transfer window, selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and landing Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen on a long-term deal.

Jaouen set to be joined by more signings

The Magpies have not released their fee they have paid for the 20-year-old shot-stopper, but it amounts to around £18.5million.

Head coach Eddie Howe said: “Ewen is a great addition and I am delighted to welcome him to Newcastle United.

“He is an exciting young goalkeeper who has shown real promise during his time in France. He has a calmness and presence that belies his age, and he’s someone we feel can grow and improve within our environment.”

France Under-21 international Jaouen made 34 Ligue 2 appearances last season after joining Reims from Guingamp during the summer of 2023.

He said: said: “I’m really excited to become a Newcastle United player.

“As a goalkeeper, I enjoy one on one situations and playing as a modern keeper, building from the back and being comfortable with the ball at my feet. Now I want to develop alongside the amazing players and staff here, enjoy my football, and prove my value on the pitch.”

Jaouen has been drafted in as Newcastle look to re-shape their goalkeeping department, and now faces the challenge of making the jump from Ligue 2 to the Premier League.

England international Nick Pope retained his number one spot for most of last season, but deputy Aaron Ramsdale has returned to parent club Southampton after his loan spell and John Ruddy and Max Thompson will leave Tyneside when their contracts expire at the end of the month.

The Magpies plan to back Howe this summer in a bid to stick by the coach who won their first major domestic trophy in 70 years but came under fire from fans at times last season.

And they are now closing in on another deal before most Premier League clubs have even got their business off the ground.

Newcastle ‘very close’ to £35m deal for World Cup star

According to Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez, speaking to El Chiringuito TV, Newcastle are now ‘very close’ to sealing an agreement worth €35m plus €5m in add-ons (£35m total) to sign Osasuna winger Victor Munoz.

The 22 year-old is fresh from a breakout season, scoring six times in La Liga, and was called up to Spain’s World Cup squad as a result.

Fabrizio Romano had confirmed a bid from Newcastle on Thursday, revealing negotiations were ‘ongoing’, and it seems those talks have now progressed to the point of planning a medical.

Indeed, the deal is now so close, according to Alvarez, that the Magpies have already made plans for the youngster to undergo a medical in the United States.

Spain’s first group stage game takes place on Monday when they take on Cabo Verde in Atlanta, so a Newcastle delegation could already be on their way to the United States to complete the necessary check’s before finalising a deal.