Here are your latest Newcastle United headlines for July 1.
Tonali's agent update
Sandro Tonali's agent Guiseppe Riso has talked through his client's negotiations with Newcastle United after protracting his move from AC Milan.
The defensive midfielder is expected to be a Newcastle player soon but his representative has claimed Tonali needed United's Saudi-backed project explained to him before leaving his beloved Milan. Tonali, at 23, will arrive on Tyneside as an established star but his agent also hinted he is not yet the finished article.
Riso, speaking to reporters in Italy, said: "It was not easy at the start to explain the project, but he is intelligent and understood straight away.
READ MORE: Newcastle United transfer news LIVE - Gabri Veiga 'talks' held
"We found the best solution for everyone, for Milan and for Sandro."
You can read the full story here.
Guehi link
For all the talk of attacking transfer targets this week at St James' Park, the fact that Newcastle are also in the market for a new centre-back could set up an interesting tussle in the back four next season. Last term the pretty much unbreakable pairing of Fabian Schar and Sven Botman laid the foundations for United to qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle must first sort out what happens next for Jamaal Lascelles after the long-serving defender, who could not get into the team last season, was linked with Luton Town and West Ham. As things stand Lascelles will return for pre-season training.
He remains club captain and has never let anybody down. But with Newcastle linked with Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi the defensive ranks could have another dimension should a player of that calibre walk through the door.
Joachim Andersen, also of Palace, is another to be linked with Newcastle. That was played down as premature by those at Palace but there is still understood to be interest from United.
Eddie Howe will want at least four centre-backs but Dan Burn is also capable of stepping into that role. It could be an interesting July from a defensive point of view.
You can read the full story here.
Calm required
The summer transfer window has only been open for a matter of days but already there is mild panic among those of a black and white persuasion at how the opening two weeks have unfolded.
The Magpies are on the cusp of unveiling AC Milan's Sandro Tonali, who has penned a lucrative six-year deal, but James Maddison's Tottenham move and Dominik Szoboszlai's impending Liverpool switch has left some disheartened.
Newcastle fans have consistently been under the impression it was one or the other. Once Maddison's Leicester exit was confirmed, attention solely switched to Szoboszlai, such was the tunnel vision regarding the attacking duo.
RB Leipzig have consistently demanded a hefty fee for Szoboszlai, with his €70m (£61m) release clause expiring this weekend. The valuation has always been slightly too high for the Magpies hierarchy.
Another factor is the player's public admiration for Jurgen Klopp. Once Liverpool entered the race for his signature, Newcastle were in trouble. Szoboszlai has previously praised the German coach, lauding him as the 'best in the world' and hinting he would love to one day play under him.
You can read the full story here.
Gordon's 'best position'
Anthony Gordon has admitted that playing through the middle may end up being his 'best position' after the Newcastle United forward impressed in a new role for England's under-21s.
Gordon caught the eye up front in both of the Young Lions' opening group games of the under-21 European Championships. After setting up Jacob Ramsey's opener against the Czech Republic with a clever flick, Gordon followed up that assist with a well-taken header in the 2-0 win against Israel last week in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate.
Although Gordon did not start England under-21s' final group fixture against Germany, it is worth noting that manager Lee Carsley rang the changes, with his side's place in the quarter-finals already assured. Gordon, as a result, will almost certainly be restored to the starting line-up for Sunday's huge clash against Portugal.
Gordon played in a similar position for Everton at the start of last season and Eddie Howe has previously admitted that the 22-year-old's versatility has given Newcastle the 'strength in numbers in the forward positions' following Chris Wood's move to Nottingham Forest. Although Howe sees Gordon's 'primary position' being on the wing, the Newcastle man is adding another string to his bow.
Given how Newcastle have to prioritise certain positions this summer, because of Financial Fair Play regulations, Gordon's ability to play across the front line may prove significant.
You can read the full story here.
Zola on Tonali
AC Milan should have 'tried to keep' Sandro Tonali with the midfielder set to complete a transfer to Newcastle United next week. That is the view of Italy and Premier League legend Gianfranco Zola, who accepts it would have been 'hard' for the Serie A giants to reject the deal worth at least £55 million.
Tonali has already agreed terms on a six-year contract at St James' Park, and is due on Tyneside next week to conclude the formalities of the transfer. The 23-year-old will move to the Magpies sooner than expected, with Italy's under-21s suffering a surprise group-stage exit from the European Championships.
Zola reckons Tonali's stance on the move could have proven decisive, but was still surprised to see Milan sanction a sale. The ex-Chelsea striker told La Gazzetta dello Sport via Football Italia: “Milan are a fantastic team, to me they’ll always be among the best in the world. Of course, the player’s will may have counted, it’s hard to reject certain offers, but if I were Milan, I would have tried to keep him.”
You can read the full story here.
