Townsend already has a part-time consultancy role at Newcastle, but the Daily Telegraph reported that he will take up the role full-time, probably as director of rugby, when his contract with the Scottish Rugby Union expires in 2027.
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Townsend advises Newcastle on strategy and philosophy and several of his key allies have already been recruited by the ambitious club, which was acquired by the energy drinks maker last year.
He is under pressure as Scotland coach as they prepare for the Six Nations after a disappointing autumn series which included his team being booed at Murrayfield after blowing a 21-0 lead against Argentina.
However, the former Scotland standout, who took over as national team head coach in 2017, has denied signing a deal with Newcastle.
“It’s pure speculation, I haven’t signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anyone,” Townsend said as he announced his squad for the Six Nations opener against Italy.
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“It is a story that is being spread to try to disrupt before the Italy game or next week’s game against England.
“It’s something that comes up, things like this, before the England game in particular.
“It is not true that I have signed the contract beyond the World Cup and my attention is right now on the Scotland team and, hopefully, until the World Cup.”
Newcastle have signed 16 players for next season, including England scrum-half Raffi Quirke from Sale Sharks, New Zealand striker Hoskins Sotutu and Fiji winger Joji Nasova.
‘He hasn’t wasted this story’
Analysis by BBC Scotland’s chief sports editor Tom English
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“Speculation” is an interesting word that Gregor Townsend used regarding the Daily Telegraph report.
He has not signed any agreement with anyone, he says. And it’s all a ploy to thwart Scotland against the Six Nations.
Sorry, but I’m not sure anyone is buying that one. Have you committed to signing an agreement?
You haven’t exactly dismissed this story with “speculation” and obfuscation. There’s probably a reason for that.
The Daily Telegraph report simply backs up everything we’ve heard.
But if Scotland start well in the Six Nations, what they do in 2027 won’t have much impact. Nobody will care.
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If they get off to a bad start they will throw all sorts of things at you here and now, distracted by their links to Red Bull and Newcastle etc.
‘The three defenders have earned their positions’
Townsend said form was behind the surprise selections of his back three for Italy’s game in Rome on Saturday.
Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, Scotland’s two leading try scorers, as well as British and Irish Lions Test full-back Blair Kinghorn, have been omitted.
Tom Jordan will play at full-back with Glasgow Warriors wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the flanks.
“Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some fantastic games for us and are very proud to play for Scotland. But there is competition in that back three, as well as in other positions,” Townsend said.
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“We think Jamie, Kyle and Tom deserve to start given how well they have been playing.
“Selection is about giving players opportunities and they have earned them. “All three of them individually have taken games to the opposition, they have worked very hard in really important areas at Test level.
“But the three who were not selected are quality players. The way they have trained over the last few weeks will be positive for the future if they return to the team.”