Here’s what Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had to say before his team heads to Sunderland this Sunday:

Howe knows this weekend's Wear-Tyne Derby against Sunderland is a big deal, saying his players need to find the right mindset for the game.

The Magpies are heading to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon for the first Premier League match between these two Northeast teams since 2016. Howe knows the game will be intense, but he wants his team to focus on playing well, not just getting caught up in the hype.

After their 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Howe mentioned that getting too worked up can backfire, leading to overthinking and poor performance. He stressed the need for a cool head and passion, saying that lacking fire would also lead to a poor performance.

What else did Eddie Howe say about the Sunderland game?

Someone asked Howe if Newcastle would aim for a draw, considering Sunderland's good home record. He shut that down, saying they prepared to win every game. He noted the short time to get ready, but believes they're managing OK and will be ready.

About Sunderland's strength and toughness, Howe said they're key in the game. He pointed out Sunderland's physical play and threat from set plays, saying Newcastle needs to match that while sticking to their own game plan. He said they try to play their way no matter where they are, whether it’s a Champions League game or at home, tweaking things as needed after assessing the game.

Looking back at Newcastle’s last visit to the Stadium of Light, where they won 3-0 in the FA Cup last January, Howe said they enjoyed the win because they played well. Now, they have to recover from their trip [from Germany] so they can perform their best.

Howe admitted he knew about the Wear-Tyne Derby's intensity before, but experiencing it is different. He's seen derbies on TV and felt the rivalry, but being there makes you realise it's more than you thought. He’s looking forward to experiencing it again.

When asked if their Champions League game would hurt their chances on Sunday, Howe said he would always prefer a week to prepare for a game to train and focus. Since that's not an option, they're used to preparing quickly and hope they're getting better at it. This game will be a good test.

Talking about Newcastle’s late goals conceded and Sunderland’s late wins, Howe said people might be reading too much into it. He admitted they know what they need to fix.

Howe doesn't think they can change who they are. He thinks they’re exciting to watch and play a style that people enjoy. He knows this sometimes leads to defensive issues, which they're trying to fix.

About the game's importance and playing Sunderland in the league after last year’s cup game, Howe sees it as a good thing. He wants to be part of big games and take on tough challenges. He hopes this game will be memorable for the right reasons, with someone creating a special moment for the fans and making them proud.

Newcastle United is reportedly planning a big move in January for FC Barcelona forward Ferran Torres. According to Fichajes reporter Raul Cabrera Jimenez, the club is ready to offer €75 million, plus a good salary, to bring the former Premier League player back to England.

Jimenez stated that Barcelona is in a busy period of the transfer window after Newcastle United showed strong interest in signing Ferran Torres with a huge offer of 75 million.

The situation heated up after Manchester United and Chelsea made £60 million bids for Harvey Barnes.

Jimenez wrote that Newcastle responded with an even bigger offer to show their financial power in the transfer market.

The report says Barcelona was surprised by Newcastle's big offer, calling it one of the highest in this transfer window. Jimenez pointed out that Torres has been in good form, scoring nine goals and providing one assist in 17 games before Tuesday’s game, which is why several clubs are interested in him.

Jimenez added that Newcastle plans to make Torres one of the highest-paid players in the team, offering him a salary of £13.5 million per season. This shows their desire to get a player who can really change the game from day one.

The report also talked about the issue that Barcelona is facing. Jimenez said that the club needs money, but it also wants to keep its good players, and Ferran Torres is one of them.

Even though Barcelona had said before that Torres was not for sale, with NUFC already contacting them in the past, Jimenez said that FCB must now consider the big money offer against the player's new importance under Hansi Flick.

Jimenez finished by saying that the next few weeks will be important, as Newcastle is determined to push for a signing that will help them progress and compete at the top of the league.