Newcastle United – Sports Africa

Newcastle want Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/jarius-juma-sports-africa/" rel="tag">JARIUS JUMA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could become the first marquee signing for Premier League moneybags Newcastle United.

Newcastle are reportedly interested in signing the Arsenal outcast on loan before completing a £20million summer deal.

According to the Mirror, the relegation-threatened Magpies have approached the Gunners about taking the 32-year-old striker for the rest of the season including an option to make the move permanent.

Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy by boss Mikel Arteta last month for an alleged breach of discipline and his days at Arsenal are all but over.

The Gabon star, who is now away on Africa Cup of Nations duty after Arteta allowed him to leave the Gunners early for the tournament as there was little chance of him figuring in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City, which Arsenal lost 2-1.

He hasn’t figured for Arsenal since the 2-1 defeat at Everton on December 6.

Unai Emery says he is not joining Newcastle United

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/xinhua/" rel="tag">XINHUA</a>

Villarreal coach Unai Emery has clarified that he will not be leaving at the Spanish club to join Newcastle United.

Emery, who led Villarreal to last season’s Europa League title, had emerged as the favorite to be named as the new coach at the club which was recently the subject of a big money Saudi Arabian led takeover.

Following his side’s Champions League win over Yong Boys on Tuesday, he even commented that he had “not said no” to Newcastle, even though he explained that he had not received a formal offer from the English club. Whether or not he did speak to representatives of Newcastle now appears irrelevant after he published a letter affirming his loyalty to Villarreal, who he joined in July 2020.

“For all the noise there was yesterday in another country, within the club there has been transparency and loyalty with the Roig family (Villarreal’s owners), that for me is most important.” “Honestly, I am grateful for the interest shown by a great club, but am also even more grateful to stay here, and I have communicated to (Villarreal President) Fernando Roig my decision to want to continue as part of this project and for the commitment and respect that I have received from the club and my players, it is mutual and reciprocated.”

“I also want to show gratitude for the love and support that has always been shown to me. This Sunday, we have a very important game and I hope that, together, we can achieve victory. We will see you in the Estadio Ceramica,” wrote Emery.

Club president Roig had been asked about Emery’s future on Tuesday and showed his confidence the coach would remain at the club. “I’m sure that his mind is not drifting elsewhere. I know Unai has a contract with us and contracts are there to be fulfilled. We hope that we will be able to see that contract through until the end,” he commented. Meanwhile Newcastle will continue their search for a man to try and lead them out of the bottom three of the Premier League with former Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe emerging as a new candidate.

Steve Bruce could retire after Newcastle axe

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/xinhua/" rel="tag">XINHUA</a>

LONDON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) — Newcastle United Wednesday sacked Steve Bruce after two seasons in charge.

Bruce had expected to be sacked almost immediately in the wake of the Saudi takeover of the club on October 7th, but clung on for a few days more and was in charge for Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Tottenham which leaves them second from bottom of the Premier League without a win in its first eight games of the season.

The 60-year-old’s first two seasons in charge saw Newcastle finish 13th and 12th in the table without being drawn into a battle to avoid relegation.

The club has confirmed it has already begun to search for a replacement with former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca thought to be the early favourite, although Graeme Jones will be in temporary charge for Saturday’s game away to Crystal Palace.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph newspaper after his leave had been confirmed, Bruce commented that he was considering retiring from management after a coaching career dating back to 1998.

“I think this might be my last job. It’s not just about me; it’s taken its toll on my whole family because they are all Geordies (from Newcastle) and I can’t ignore that.”

Despite being a boyhood Newcastle fan, Bruce was never accepted by the club’s fans, partly because he spent most of his playing days with Manchester United and also because he had a spell coaching bitter local rivals Sunderland.

“It has been very, very tough. To never really be wanted, to feel that people wanted me to fail and saying I would fail, that I was useless, a fat waste of space, a tactically inept cabbage head,” he commented, adding that his family, his wife especially “have been worried about me.”

“I’m 60 years old and I don’t know if I want to put her through it again. We’ve got a good life so, yeah, this will probably be me done as a manager,” added Bruce.

Premier League: New owners, same Newcastle – at least until January

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/xinhua/" rel="tag">XINHUA</a>

LONDON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) — Newcastle United’s new money era looks very much like the previous one after they lost 3-2 to Tottenham on Sunday.

Following the big-money Saudi takeover during the international break, and in front of a packed and excited St James Park, Tottenham were able to bounce back after Callum Wilson put Newcastle ahead in just the second minute, and Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min put the visitors 3-1 up by the break, with Son netting from long range.

The first half was stopped for around 10 minutes after a fan needed medical treatment in the stands for a heart problem and was rushed to hospital, where he is reported to be stable.

Tottenham could have added more in the second half and looked to be safe after Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey was sent off in the 83rd minute after a deliberate trip on Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon.

Eric Dier scored a strange own goal in the last minute to give Newcastle a glimmer of hope, but it was not to be and coach Steve Bruce remains on the verge of the sack, although until the transfer window reopens in January it’s hard to see how anyone can make the changes that Newcastle need.

Sunday’s other game saw West Ham leapfrog Everton after Angelo Ogbonna’s 74th minute header gave David Moyes a happy return to his former club.

Saturday’s games saw Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy produce a string of saves to allow his club to claim a fortunate 1-0 win away to Brentford.

Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick as Liverpool ruined Claudio Ranieri’s return to the Premier League with a 5-0 win away to Watford, while a 4-2 defeat away to Leicester City leaves Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under ever-increasing pressure.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquires Newcastle United

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/xinhua/" rel="tag">XINHUA</a>

RIYADH, October 7 (Xinhua) — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Thursday the acquisition of English Premier League side Newcastle United.

The PIF has led a group comprising PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media in the deal, the fund said in a statement.

All requisite approvals have been obtained from the English Premier League and the acquisition was completed on October 7, the fund added.

The PIF has assets worth 340 billion U.S. dollars, meaning Newcastle are now one of the richest clubs in the world.

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan will be non-executive chairman of Newcastle United.

“We are extremely proud to become the new owners of Newcastle United, one of the most famous clubs in English football. We thank the Newcastle fans for their tremendously loyal support over the years and we are excited to work together with them,” the governor said.

A deal had initially been agreed for the PIF to buy Newcastle in April 2020, but the deal collapsed four months later over a disagreement on who would control the club.

The deal was thought to have been resurrected after Saudi Arabia settled an piracy dispute with Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports, which owns the Premier League’s broadcasting rights for the Middle East.

Newcastle are currently 19th in the Premier League, with no wins from their seven matches so far this season.

TRANSFER GOSSIP: Patrick Vieira rules himself out of Newcastle United job

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/kirui-kipkirui-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KIRUI KIPKIRUI - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Patrick Vieira has moved quickly to quash any suggestions of leaving Nice, reports 90Min.

The Frenchman was among the names Newcastle United are considering to succeed Rafael Benitez as manager.

However, according to The Sun, Vieira has been quoted as saying: “I am at Nice long-term. I have no intention of going elsewhere.

“I’ve always felt good here and with the people around me. I can’t see myself anywhere other than Nice”

Benitez, 59, left St James’ Park after three years in charge when his contract expired on June 30.

Vieira, 43, has just completed his first campaign in European club management with Nice.

He is happy with the French side and in no rush to move but will listen to Premier League side Newcastle if they make contact.

The former France captain led Nice to seventh place in Ligue 1 last season, one spot above their finish a year earlier.

Vieira was interviewed by Newcastle in 2015 before the Magpies appointed Steve McClaren.

At the time, he was in charge of Manchester City’s elite development squad.

He left later that year for a role in the MLS, as head coach of New York City.

Benitez named manager of Chinese side Dalian Yifang after Newcastle exit

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/wuod-amary-sports-africa/" rel="tag">WUOD AMARY - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Former Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has been appointed manager of Chinese side Dalian Yifang.

The Spaniard left the Magpies on Sunday after his contract expired, saying that the Premier League club “did not share his vision”.

He replaces Choi Kang-hee, who resigned on Monday “for personal reasons”.

“After a long path, we start a new challenge. I´m happy to begin this new project with Dalian Yifang,” said 59-year-old Benitez.

Benitez, who has also managed Liverpool, Chelsea, Valencia and Real Madrid, received a £12m offer to manage Dalian Yifang, tweeted a message welcoming himself to the club.

Benitez admits Newcastle’s prolonged takeover led to his decision to leave the club.

“It was a big problem in terms of my decision, I was waiting and I was asking for clarity and, like the fans, we didn’t know,” he said.

“Eventually, you have to decide. I could not continue in the same way, because I couldn’t see how to progress. It had to be clear to me, who was the owner, what would they do, and it wasn’t clear.'”

“When I came to Newcastle, they gave me the plans for the new training ground, I was talking to the architect about changing a few things and after three years they painted the walls,” he added.

“If you want to attract players, it’s about the facilities, the contract, the city, the way you treat them, the way you treat the agents.

He led Newcastle to a 13th place finish in the Premier League last season.

Solskjaer wants Longstaff deal sealed before United fly out to Australia

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/wuod-amary-sports-africa/" rel="tag">WUOD AMARY - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly told Ed Woodward to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle this week.

The Daily Star say Solskjaer is desperate to make Longstaff his third summer signing following the arrivals of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Newcastle are said to be asking for a transfer fee worth £20million plus add-ons for the young midfielder.

Solskjaer wants the deal completed in time for Longstaff to join up with the United squad ahead of their flight to Australia on July 7.

Longstaff is reportedly seen as a priority target ahead of Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has reportedly signed a new contract at United and the club could make a formal announcement about it on Monday.

That’s according to a Telegraph report, which says the deal is four years in length, with the club retaining the option to extend it by a further year.

It is claimed the deal is heavily incentivised but if Rashford meets each of his performance-related targets, he could trouser in excess of £300,000 each week.

The report adds Inter Milan are expected to table an opening offer for Romelu Lukaku this week.

United are reportedly likely to reject the bid, which is expected to be worth an initial £9million for a two-year loan deal with the obligation for the Italian club to make the deal permanent for £54m in 2021.

It is also claimed that United have no intention of selling Diogo Dalot following the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.

Shelvey says he wants to stay at Newcastle despite West Ham interests

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/wuod-amary-sports-africa/" rel="tag">WUOD AMARY - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has indicated he wants to stay at Newcastle United amid interests from West Ham United.

The Hammers hold a long-term interest in the former Liverpool midfielder, and the east London club made overtures to sign Shelvey back in January.

But Shelvey insists he will remain on Tyneside “unless told otherwise”, and he is already back at the Magpies’ Benton Training Centre working on his fitness ahead of the new campaign.

“Last season wasn’t the best for me. You hear a lot of people saying. He was rubbish last season,” Shelvey said adding that he wants to be fit for the new season.

“But the truth is I got a bad injury and I’m not looking for excuses, but that’s the reason why I was out. I took a number of injections to try and get myself to play games and things like that, but it just wasn’t to be.

“People wrote me off and things like that, but as far as I’m aware I’m a Newcastle United player and, until I’m told otherwise, I’ll keep fighting for a spot in this team, and to show everyone how good I am.”

Benitez to assess fitness levels of Yedlin, Atsu and Almiron ahead of league clash against Arsenal

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/wuod-amary-sports-africa/" rel="tag">WUOD AMARY - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez will have to wait for last-minute decision on three players ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.

After long trips during the international break, Miguel Almiron, Christian Atsu and DeAndre Yedlin could be left out of the team as the Spaniard awaits an update over their fitness.

Defender Fabian Schar has also been ruled out, although through suspension rather than injury and Sean Longstaff is unavailable for the clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Jamaal Lascelles is understood to be fit but could still be left out as a precautionary measure following the centre-back’s recent return from injury.

“The international break is always quite complicated, particularly at this stage of the season, because you can see a lot of injuries,” Benitez said.

“The players are tired and a lot of the national teams are playing for something so they are pushing players.

“We have some knocks but Sean Longstaff is the only player who is injured for us at the moment. Schar has had another test this morning and he was fine, training with the team.

“Today, we have had (Christian) Atsu, (DeAndre) Yedlin and (Miguel) Almiron coming back from international duty. We will need to make sure that they are fine tomorrow.

“When a player returns on a Thursday evening, it is quite difficult to get them ready for a game on a Saturday. But this game we play on Monday, so we have time.”

Lascelles and Yedlin both featured in Newcastle’s last clash with Arsenal as the Gunners won 2-1 at St James’ Park back in September.

LATEST POSTS

LET'S TALK