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New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Isak latest, Wissa interest, Trafford delay, CEO search and more: Newcastle Q&A
Hugo Ekitike is the latest, and arguably most ambitious, name to add to the transfer targets Newcastle United have 'missed out on' this summer. Anthony Elanga was an excellent first addition earlier this month but, for a club operating without a sporting director and who have a CEO serving his notice, this window has largely felt like one of significant frustration so far — and there remains ongoing trepidation about Alexander Isak's future. Advertisement Here, we have pulled together some of the questions and our answers from Friday's live transfer Q&A with Newcastle United correspondent Chris Waugh, which included queries about Isak's contract situation, where the club will look to strengthen next and what the mood is like inside St James' Park. If £70m was spent on Ekitike, would that have been the whole budget gone without sales? Will Sean Longstaff be replaced? — Jenny C Waugh: Not necessarily the entire summer budget, but a significant proportion of it. Newcastle have created PSR (the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules) 'headroom' and have significant capacity to invest, but not limitless capacity. Ekitike was deemed an elite prospect and Newcastle were hoping to conclude a club-record deal which, including add-ons, could have gone beyond €80m (£69.3m; $93.3m), though Eintracht Frankfurt insist they wanted more. Newcastle could not have stretched much further, however. Sales are part of the plan, regardless, as the Longstaff to Leeds United deal shows. Had Ekitike been acquired, then Newcastle may have had to either spend less on other positions or look to offload further non-first-XI players to help satisfy PSR. While Newcastle paid a little more than intended for Elanga, they cannot go beyond their internal valuations for every target. Newcastle's budget will already be stretched to satisfy all their transfer needs. The James Trafford situation is a perfect example of that. Burnley's asking price, which is said to be around £40m, is more than Newcastle are prepared to pay. Burnley have not shifted in their stance and, for now, Newcastle are not budging from theirs either, which is why it feels deadlocked. As for whether Longstaff will be replaced — ideally, yes. Eddie Howe usually plays with three midfielders and, given Newcastle have the Champions League to contend with, he would prefer to have six senior options. But priorities lie elsewhere and it may be one that is addressed later in the window if Newcastle have the capacity to do so. When the new CEO is hired, can we expect to see some more movement on stadium, training-kit deals, etc? — Shane M Waugh: Newcastle have taken almost 10 months to find Darren Eales' replacement, which is far from ideal, especially given the current CEO's health issues. However, last month, Newcastle whittled down candidates to the final few, with former Real Madrid executive David Hopkinson deemed the frontrunner by some club sources. An appointment has not yet been made and, as with the sporting director situation, that has left a bit of a vacuum at the top of the club. Advertisement The person who is supposed to set the long-term vision is not going to be there much longer and, given Newcastle desperately need rapid commercial growth, it seems key decisions are being delayed because of that. Theoretically, yes, once a CEO arrives, critical calls on the future of the stadium, on a new state-of-the-art training ground and on principal sponsorship deals can be made. Yet, while much of the groundwork has already been done and can be presented to the next chief executive, they may have alternative ideas of their own, or may push for further information as to why a preferred option has been reached. What's the position on Isak's contract? — Jamie S Waugh: Newcastle's general position on Isak is that he is 'not for sale'. Liverpool's enquiry was rebuffed and, regardless of whether the Merseyside club still pursue the Sweden international if they conclude a deal for Ekitike, the message from the very top of Newcastle is that their position will not change. Obviously the caveat is how Isak reacts but, as of yet, he has not indicated a desire to leave and there are those inside Newcastle who have always been confident he would not do so. Despite that, Isak's representatives have been keen to increase his wages, given the 25-year-old has developed into a world-class performer since he first signed for Newcastle in 2022. Newcastle have maintained for months that they would look to open extension talks with Isak's camp this summer but it does not appear any material progress has yet been made. Part of the problem Newcastle have is that Isak is already one of their highest earners and, while on the open market his salary demands could be vast, his present club cannot afford to massively increase his wages. Or, if they do, they may need to trim the wage bill elsewhere, or potentially sell, due to PSR. Advertisement If Isak does not sign a new deal across 2025-26, then Newcastle may have to consider selling next summer so they can capitalise on at least the majority of his market value. But that is a long time away and a lot could happen between now and then. But, to repeat, Newcastle insist Isak is not for sale this summer. What is the mood in the camp about transfer progress so far? — Paul S Waugh: The best way to describe the feeling inside Newcastle is one of 'frustration' right now. Howe made his first public pronouncement since May by giving an interview to NUFCTV on Thursday — Newcastle did not invite media along to their training camp in Austria, as they have done in previous years — and the head coach did not, or perhaps could not, hide his mood. Even though he was speaking to an in-house reporter, Howe spoke about the significant amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes and the minimal return in terms of actual acquisitions. Clearly, nothing about this summer has been ideal. Newcastle are operating without a sporting director, their CEO is leaving and they have missed out on Bryan Mbeumo, Dean Huijsen, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and now Ekitike. Even so, panic is certainly not setting in. Although Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have been very active, there are several other top-flight clubs whose business has been at least as minimal as Newcastle's so far. Newcastle believe patience is required and, while they have already had to recalibrate after failing to secure top targets, the interim transfer team — driven by Andy Howe, the assistant head of recruitment and Eddie's nephew, and Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment — are continuing to pursue multiple deals across several positions. Few fans will take comfort from the fact Newcastle's starting XI is already strong, but the club are looking to build from a solid base. The wait for further additions cannot go on indefinitely, because new signings require time to bed into Howe's style and demands, but there is still a month and a half left in the window. Why isn't the Trafford deal done yet? And centre-back seems like it should be more of a priority than a striker? — James W Waugh: Newcastle have pushed back strongly against the idea they are only able to focus on one deal — or even one position — at a time. Ekitike grabbed the headlines because their interest leaked out, but Newcastle insist other negotiations have been going on in the background. Talks with Burnley for Trafford, for example, have not ended, but nor has definitive progress been made. The sides remain significantly apart in their respective valuations. Whether Newcastle can wait much longer or move on to alternative goalkeeper targets remains to be seen. A striker is a priority, though the message is that Newcastle may well end up strengthening another position before they bring in a forward. It just depends where they can make a breakthrough (though it seems at this stage that a defender addition is the least advanced, despite their obvious need for another right-sided centre-back). Advertisement Callum Wilson's exit has left Newcastle short up front. Howe did not seem to trust Will Osula as a central striker last season, often playing him out wide, and given the additional demands the Champions League brings, someone to dovetail with Isak is required. Brentford's Yoane Wissa was not previously an option when Newcastle were pursuing Ekitike, but he has subsequently become a name of interest, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is a free agent after being released by Everton, is another to have featured in conversations. The list of potential striker targets stretches further than those two, though Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is not currently under consideration. Do you think we will sign a left-back to support Lewis Hall? — David S Waugh: Newcastle lack depth down that flank, given Matt Targett is essentially available for transfer. But despite it being acknowledged that Lewis Hall is the only out-and-out left-back Newcastle have, it has not been cited as a principle position they are looking to strengthen. Dan Burn can cover at left-back, even if he is a natural centre-half and some fans may not like the idea of the Geordie moving back out wide, but with Sven Botman fit, that becomes an option, especially if another defender joins. Tino Livramento was also magnificent down that flank last season, arguably even more impressive than at right-back. While long term he is viewed as Newcastle's right-back, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth (and even Jacob Murphy) are alternatives down the right if Livramento is required to play left-back. Longer-term, another left-back will be sought, but one of the reasons Newcastle took a gamble and invested so much in Hall and Livramento is because they believe there is a dearth of excellent full-backs around. How much of an issue is Liverpool getting a key forward target ahead of us? — Mark R Waugh: Liverpool seemingly pipping Newcastle to Ekitike is a significant blow. Newcastle ideally wanted a versatile forward who could play across the frontline and who was comfortable operating through the middle, either alongside or in place of Isak. But, beyond Joao Pedro, who was their top target, and then Ekitike, who was a close second on the list (primarily because the Frenchman was more expensive and had yet to play in England, rather than his quality and potential), the alternatives who even get close to filling that criteria are scant. Advertisement Having felt confident at one stage that a deal for Ekitike could be concluded — which would have been quite the statement of intent, given the club are adamant Isak would have stayed, too — Newcastle have had to reassess. Wissa is Premier League-proven and scored 19 goals last season, but turns 29 in September and that age bracket was not being actively considered as recently as last weekend. Yet Newcastle appear to have accepted they are going to have to compromise if they want to bring in a replacement for Wilson, which Howe feels is required. Although nobody at Newcastle would ever admit this, missing out on Ekitike also means succession planning becomes more complicated. While Newcastle are adamant Isak is going nowhere this summer, if he does not sign a contract extension, an exit may have to be (begrudgingly) countenanced in the future. It would be easier and preferable to have Isak's replacement already on the books, rather than have to react once he leaves (if he ever does).
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Right time' or 'not clever at all'? Fans on imminent Longstaff sale
We asked for your views on Sean Longstaff leaving his boyhood club for newly promoted Leeds 27-year-old academy graduate, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up in 2006, has just entered the final year of his contract and his sale would generate pure profit in terms of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).Here are some of your thoughts:Anthony: Longstaff is a consummate professional who has served the club well. A local lad who always gave his best, a loyal and valued member of the squad, a great role model to the younger players. I wish him well and I hope he regains the form that almost had him being considered by England. All the best, Sean, but don't come back to haunt us like Chris It's a difficult one. You need homegrown players for the Champions League and we will struggle to fill that quota in our European squad. However, PSR dictates a lot and this sale presents profit for a squad player. It's disappointing that a local lad has to leave mainly because of It may be good in a business sense, but in terms of the squad needed for all of the games next season it's not clever at all, unless they can replace him with a better player. And so far the recruitment has been very It's the right time and the right move for the club and the player to go their separate ways. Longstaff's opportunities, with an improving Newcastle squad, are becoming fewer and fewer, and he will certainly get more game time at Leeds. A good player in the Mike Ashley era, but he doesn't fit and isn't good enough for the current Sean has been a great servant to the club for the past few years and seen us through really rough times. I'm glad he was around last season to win a trophy with his boyhood club, but if we want to progress it is time for him to move on. I wish him all the best. Howay, Sean, go smash it!
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Louis Munteanu transfer cover broken as Celtic told Balikwisha's private feelings amid 'ridiculous' left back offer
The Hoops are escalating their player search with Shin Yamada expected to be the next player to arrive Cluj boss Dan Peterescu has branded Louis Munteanu "irreplaceable" following reports of a £6.9million bid from Celtic The Scottish Premiership champions are keen to sign a striker despite the incoming arrivals of Shin Yamada - but Brendan Rodgers' declared the club would like to add even more firepower. The Hoops have lost both Nicolas Kuhn to Como and Kyogo Furuhashi in the last six months - and Rodgers insists he needs to replaced the goals that have been lost since January. And reports in Romania claim that the the Hoops have seen an offer of just under £6.9million booted out by the Transylvania based club - with the club holding out for a £15.5million. Cluj owner Nelutu Varga told Sport Pesurse: "I have clearly said that Louis Munteanu will only leave if someone pays 18 million euros. I am not discussing anything else." And Peterescu is keen to keep the frontman who netted 25 goals last term. He said: "Louis Munteanu will be almost irreplaceable. If we get a player who scores that many goals, it means we won the lottery." Royal Antwerp wide man Michel-Ange Balikwisha is top of Celtic's list to replace the Kuhn after his move to Como Sporting director Marc Overmars has declared that he will only sell the winger for the right price - but reports suggest that a deal could be done with the Belgian outfit in dire need of a financial boost. Speaking to Off the Underside, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claimed that the wide man has given Celtic an "indication" he would like to join the club this summer after long-standing interest. Celtic have also been credited with an interest in Manchester United misfit Tyrell Malacia as they search for a new left-back. After Greg Taylor's departure, the boss is looking to add competition for Kieran Tierney. Celtic had shown interest in taking the Netherlands international on loan in January, Reports suggest that after United need to sell him for £3.22million to avoid a loss under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR). It is claimed the club willing to accept that lowball bid due to the lack of interest so far this summer - and former United striker Teddy Sheringham has branded the situation "ridiculous." He told Sky Bet: 'It's very easy to spend money on players, but it's hard to recoup it. 'It seems quiet, but I bet there's lots going on behind the scenes at Manchester United. Other clubs know United's position. 'They've made it known that they're looking to sell around five players, which signals to other clubs to make them ridiculous offers. 'I would assume that's what football clubs are doing around Europe, and Manchester United are turning them down at the moment. 'The longer that goes on, I reckon those offers might be a little less ridiculous, but United want these players off the books – they've made their bed and they've got to lie in it. 'They'll probably take anything from a quarter to a fifth of their asking price for some of them.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'At some point, he will leave'
I want to tour other Premier League clubs with a big 'HANDS OFF ALEX ISAK' sign and wave it around. What good will that do? I don't know. But it feels like a statement I want to the noises coming from Newcastle United at the moment make it seem like Isak is not for sale, and will still be in black and white this September. This is huge for Newcastle's season, with Champions League football returning and hopefully another decent cup run to come. Without Isak, I think a lot of our hopes of finishing high in the table, doing respectably in the Champions League, and generally having a happy time this season fade news notifications on your clubAt some point, he will leave. I don't believe Isak is so in love with Newcastle United that he wants to stay years and finish his career here. He's an ambitious player who probably wants to be playing in the best leagues in the world.I, however, don't think it's inevitable that he leaves this time next year, but I do think it's more likely. His price will still be high; he will only be 26. At that point, it makes no sense from a PSR perspective to hold on - particularly if the player himself is ready to frustrating that this is where we are, financially, and at the same time I understand it. It would be lovely to just fling cash at players, keep them happy, and buy reinforcements. It would also be boring and not good for the game if, say, three rich clubs just did that all the time. I'm just glad we look like we might keep hold of Isak for another massive season at Newcastle United, and develop/scout other players in case we find ourselves without him more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external
Metro
5 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Chelsea make £80m England star top transfer target as spending continue
Chelsea are looking to spend big again this summer as they identify Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers as their top transfer target. The Blues have already made a string of big signings this summer, with Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Estevao all arriving. Boosted by their money-spinning Club World Cup triumph, Chelsea are not finished in the transfer market just yet and are eyeing up a move for Rogers. The Sun report that the 22-year-old is now top of the shopping list at Stamford Bridge, although he will be an expensive purchase if they can pull it off. Villa do not want to let the midfielder go and he has been valued at a huge £80m, reflecting his importance to Unai Emery's side. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. However, the Villains are in a perilous situation when it comes to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and are expected to make sales this summer. They do not want Rogers to be one of the outgoings, but if a massive bid comes in then they will have to consider it. Other Villa stars including Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez, Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey have all been linked with exits this summer, but deals are yet to be done. Emery also wants to bring in signings this summer, with the only new arrivals so far being teenagers Yasin Ozcan and Zepiqueno Redmond from Kasimpasa and Feyenoord respectively, and veteran goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest. Villa are keen on bringing in a new striker and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson is on their list of targets, given the Blues have brought in plenty of competition for the Senegal international over the summer. Having been Enzo Maresca's only real option up front for much of last season, the Blues now have Pedro and Delap, with Jackson seemingly slipping down the pecking order. Emery worked with the 24-year-old and would like to reunite with him at Villa Park if a deal can be done. Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Jackson, who has scored 30 goals in his two seasons at Chelsea. A swap deal including Alejandro Garnacho has been mooted by The i paper, with the Argentina international on the chopping block at Old Trafford and looking for a move. There is interest in Garnacho from Italy and Saudi Arabia, but he reportedly wants to stay in the Premier League, making Chelsea one of the few viable options for the winger. More Trending The 21-year-old is one of a number of players Manchester United are trying to offload as they look to rebuild their squad under Ruben Amorim. Juventus are interested in taking both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho off the Red Devils' hands, while Antony and Tyrell Malacia are also up for sale. MORE: Arsenal hero sends message to Noni Madueke amid 'sad' fan backlash MORE: Fulham in talks to sign Arsenal winger and end transfer drought MORE: The three Premier League clubs interested in signing Alejandro Garnacho revealed
