Unveiled: The truth about Newcastle’s leaked ‘New Crest’, the two Borussia Dortmund stars on Toon Radar and what is really going on with Harvey Barnes Swap Deal

Newcastle insists that supporters have the last word about the design of the new club comb – but they admit that a leaked image is a badge that they have developed.

Confidential Speaking with several people who attended a workshop event in St James’ Park on Wednesday evening, in which fans were presented and asked for their thoughts.

This is on the back of a letter from the Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) to Chief Executive Darren Eales, who express concerns about the ‘consultation’ process of the club. The NUST is of the opinion that a fan survey did not meet the rules of the FA for consultation on the change of a ‘heritage asset’.

And there has been unrest with a leaked image of a design produced by the club. We can reveal the staff that it is confirmed during this week’s workshop that the image is real.

A brand director said that the club would not feel comfortable if they started the process without believing ‘there is a solution’, but added: ‘that does not mean that this is the top’. It was then emphasized that fans will have the ‘The Say’ about the design during the second phase of consultation.

However, the nature of the top on which they have worked causes a little concern for supporters. And if I give my opinion, I can understand why. For me it seems that the current badge has been placed by an anime filter.

My children look a lot of it Ninjago (A TV program inspired by Asian Ninjas) and the artwork around that immediately came to mind. If something comes out of the leak, it should be that the club has to think again if this was the best of their prototypes.

I believe that this message was also passed on to some employees of the workshop, in which the brand and design team outlined the difficulties of the current KAM. In a digital era, it was labeled ‘not suitable for the goal’ and the staff revealed that the new badge should work on the sizes of 5 mm to the gigantic images on stadiums.

There is also a desire to use embroidered tops instead of ‘patches’ on sweaters. The current badge is so complicated, embroidery has been increasingly difficult in recent years from a production perspective.

There were a few lighter moments in the room on Wednesday, when concept crests were designed by supporters – one with Eddie Howe who smoked a cigar on top of the Keep Castle, the other with the Order that replaces the seahouses!

Finally, I have no problem with the badge change – I understand the limitations of the current top – but just like supporters I would emphasize that consultation should mean consultation, especially if this means that avoiding designs that are more far to the east than northeast.

Then is a fan of Eddie

The name of Eddie Howe will certainly be prominent when Ashworth starts the search for the next manager of England.

The former sports director in Newcastle was appointed this week as the first Chief Football Officer of the FA, with strategic supervision of men and women’s teams.

One of the first tasks of Ashworth will draw up the follow -up plan for Thomas Tuchel – whose contract ends after the World Cup 2026 – in addition to Chief Executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott.

Since we understand that Ashworth Howe presented as a successor to Erik ten Hag during his short stay in Old Trafford, it is likely that he will again recommend the Newcastle head coach.

There was some suggestion that the relationship between the couple had deteriorated during Ashworth’s bitter exit from St James’ park last year, but that was not the case.

Howhe respected Ashworth because of the way in which he did not try to revise practices that worked well after his arrival. The boss of Magpies also appreciated the neutral perspective that he offered and admired his skills of people, both internally and externally.

Ashworth never became part of Howe’s inner circle on the training field, but there was a mutual respect and understanding, and it produced results on the field.

Newcastle will then be braced for interest in Howe when the focus of the FA shifts to identifying the successor to Tuchel next year. There remains a chance that the German could extend his term of office if England performs well at the World Cup.

Howe was linked to the track in England last summer, but at the age of 47 he does not see himself leaving the club game and prefers to work with players every day. That will certainly remain the case, but the new role of Ashworth will be just as good as guarantee that the Newcastle boss sounds when it is time to consider replacing Tuchel.

Howe’s position on Harvey

Confidential It reported last week that Aston Villa was interested in Harvey Barnes, while Newcastle, such as Villa’s attacking midfielder Jacob Ramsey, gave reason to talk about a Swap deal that would help both clubs meet profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

We can now reveal that this was first driven in January -from the Villa -end -at a time when Barnes was from the Newcastle team and Villa was their books looking for the PSR deadline of June. It did not happen then – Barnes sustained a thigh injury in the middle of the month – but there has been a new conversation in some circles of a deal that was visited again.

The message back to however Confidential This week it is Eddie Howe Barnes, 27, not to lose for the following season. He started with the last nine games, scored four and assists four, and has shown his value during his first run of consistent competitions since he joined the club in 2023. Villa was then also interested.

Van Barnes is said to settle on Tyneside and, with Newcastle that combines the Premier League and Champions League campaigns, it seems more likely that he will stay in St James’ park. The winger has also shown his versatility by starting in recent games to the right wing or going to the right wing.

Ramsey now retains admirers within the Newcastle coaching and recruitment setup. The 23-year-old has two years to go on his contract and Villa can decide that the time is ripe to sell this summer, especially in the midst of PSR-Zoring.

Botman -update

Sven Botman still hopes to play again this season after a scan on his injured knee, with Confidential Told that the problem is not considered serious.

However, we have been here with the defender and it seems that the sensible decision, such as with teammate Joelinton and his knee problem, is to rest until the summer.

Botman returned to schedule at the end of last month after the absence of nine games, and on Sunday against Chelsea he started for the first time since January. He needed an ice treatment on his knee during the break and was replaced in the 55th minute.

The 25-year-old made his comeback from a cruciate ligament injury at the beginning of January, but suffered a setback before the end of the month, which led to the fear that his season was over. There is an opportunity that can now be the case, but sources say that the player has not given up this week to show this period again.

Botman has not trained in recent days, making him a serious doubt for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, and Eddie Howe is ready to offer an update on Friday morning. The last game of the season is at home on Everton per week on Sunday.

Dortmund Duo watched

Newcastle Scouts are on the list to view Borussia Dortmund in recent weeks, and Confidential was told about two players who have been sent back – goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and winger Jamie Gittens.

The wish of the club to sign a keeper this summer is known and we understand the asking price for James Trafford van Burnley is around £ 30 million. The 22-year-old remains the top goal.

However, work continues to identify alternatives and Kobel, 27, is greatly appreciated. He is a teammate of Switzerland of Fabian Schar and has Champions League experience last season, including two clean sheets against Newcastle.

Gittens is now interesting for a large number of Premier League clubs, with Newcastle among them together with Chelsea and Arsenal.

The star of England Under 21s has scored 12 times this season from 34 Starts and with a release clause that will fall from £ 50 million if Dortmund does not make the Champions League, a switch to the Premier League on the cards is on the maps. The 20-year-old is versatile and can play a striker on both wings and behind.

I spoke to him back after a Dortmund game for a few seasons and he was fascinating and smart. My colleagues in Germany were very enthusiastic about his potential and his development led to interest from the European sides.

Just throw the net

If they stick to the Toon’s Talent Spotters, they will also be present this month in the Africa Cup of Nations Under 20s in Egypt. The tournament has been proof for people like Mohamed Salah and Andre Ayew in recent years.

This is all part of Paul Mitchell’s plan to broaden the net when it comes to identifying talent. Likewise, we should expect scouts in the stands when the European Under 21s championship takes place this summer in Slovakia.

Toon -Teaser

Last week we asked you to name the eleven players from Spain and Portugal who played for Newcastle.

The answers were; Mikel Merino, Ayoze Perez, Javier Manquillo, Joselu, Jesus Gamez, Jose Enrique, Albert Luque, Xisco and Marcelino (All Spain) and Hugo Viana and Helder (both Portugal).

This week’s puzzler is …

On a similar theme, mention the eleven Dutch who played for Newcastle. Success!