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Newcastle United have officially begun talks to sign Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, according to journalist Matt Thielen. The Magpies are not alone, Tottenham and Wolves are also interested in the Portuguese attacker, but Newcastle have been tracking him closely since the spring.
Why does Newcastle want Jota?
With attacking depth thinning at St. James’ Park, Jota is seen as a smart, versatile option who could fill multiple roles up front. Since joining Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, the 28-year-old has scored 47 goals in 123 Premier League matches, a strong return for a forward often rotated in a high-competition squad.
He’s considered tactically intelligent and a big-game player, making him a reliable choice as Newcastle look to sharpen their attack.
Liverpool reportedly want around £43 million ($57 million) for Jota, the same price quoted in earlier enquiries. But there’s a twist: Liverpool could use Jota as part of swap deals to pursue their own transfer targets at Newcastle.
Liverpool eyeing Newcastle stars
Liverpool are interested in Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s star striker who scored 21 goals last season. But Newcastle have made their stance clear, Isak would cost at least £150–200 million ($201–269 million), a fee likely to scare off most suitors.
Anthony Gordon is also admired at Anfield. To tempt Newcastle, Liverpool might offer players like Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, or even Jota in a potential player-exchange deal.
Jota as a Backup Plan for Newcastle
While Brighton’s Joao Pedro remains Newcastle’s top forward target, Chelsea’s interest in the 22-year-old could complicate matters. If that deal falls through, Jota could become Newcastle’s Plan B, but one with serious quality and Premier League experience.
For now, Newcastle are standing firm, unwilling to lose key players easily. But with both clubs eyeing each other’s talent, the transfer window could see some surprising twists.