Matt Targett has dropped the biggest hint yet that he would like to sign permanently with Newcastle United. Elsewhere, ChronicleLive understands Lyon star Lucas Paqueta would be interested in a black-and-white move this summer.
Here are your Newcastle United headlines for April 18:
Targett on transfer
Matt Targett has revealed he "hopes" to be a Newcastle United player next season - and has dropped the biggest hint yet he wants to be part of Eddie Howe's revolution on Tyneside.
As Chronicle Live reported on March 8 that the Magpies agreed a purchase option for Targett of around £15million. Although Targett will have the final say on his future and has three years left of a lucrative deal at Aston Villa until 2025.
That essentially swings the emphasis back to talks with Eddie Howe and the club's boardroom team to agree personal terms on a permanent deal for the former England Under-21 star. The 26-year-old has proved a hit with supporters and has also courted the attention of Gareth Southgate over a possible senior summer call up.
Paqueta latest
ChronicleLive understands Paqueta is interested in a move to the Premier League, putting Newcastle in the mix, but Lyon would have to be open to selling the £58million rated star first. As Bruno and Joelinton celebrated in Samba style in front of the Leazes End with the sun shining brightly on them, you wonder what impact a third Brazilian star could have at SJP.
The chemistry could take Newcastle to a different place. Even though it feels like we are living in a different world since the days of Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce. For now, Bruno got the tone right. With six games to play nobody should be getting too excited.
Krafth praise
For all Bruno Guimaraes stole the limelight after his brace against Leicester, Emil Krafth's battling performance at right-back has been widely praised too. With his long-term future up in the air after the arrival of Kieran Trippier, the Swede has not put a foot wrong since replacing the January addition in recent weeks.
Krafth is enjoying his best run of form since arriving in the north east. It's easy to envisage him being used as a backup to Trippier beyond the summer.
The defender, who was suffering from illness before the Leicester clash, started the game from the outset despite missing training sessions during the week. That type of professionalism wins you admirers in Newcastle and clearly shows Krafth is relishing the chance to feature in this team.
Eddie Howe clearly rates the defender highly and has been full of praise for him in recent weeks. Sunday was no different, with the Newcastle boss giving Krafth credit for playing after a week of disruption.
Howe's tactical admission
Eddie Howe says he had no qualms about being second best in the possession stakes against Leicester City. But warned that his United team won't always be so compromising.
Newcastle had just 31% of the ball against the Foxes but still won the game 2-1 at St James' Park. Howe's side did create 16 goal attempts overall but after the game he was asked about the lack of possession.
Howe said: "The credit I can give the players today is that we accepted our role – that doesn't mean that we always want to accept our role as the team that didn't have the ball, but we accepted it and sort of understood at that moment we couldn't necessarily change it."
Kelly humbled
David Kelly has revealed how he was left totally gobsmacked by Wor Flags' impressive banner display that paid tribute to his vital goal against Portsmouth from the 1991/92 season.
Kelly's goal at the Gallowgate End effectively saved Newcastle United from relegation to the old Third Division and helped lay the foundations for a brighter future for the Entertainers. Kelly also weighed in with 29 goals to help take Newcastle to the Premier League a year later.
Fast forward to 2022, on 30th anniversary of the strike against Pompey, and Kelly says he was left stunned by the moment a flag was unfurled in his honour.
Trippier's recovery
Kieran Trippier is working around the clock to be back in action with Newcastle United and will step up his fitness drive this week.
Understandably, United aren't prepared to take risks with the valuable England international after he suffered a metatarsal fracture in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa in early February. But the feeling is he will play again in Newcastle's final handful of fixtures.
The former Atletico Madrid star has been working one on one with former Three Lions and Liverpool physio Dave Galley behind the scenes at Newcastle's Benton training base. Trippier is back on the grass and has his boots again, much to the delight of Eddie Howe and his coaching staff.
Rodgers' reaction
Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he is 'so happy' for Newcastle United supporters after the Leicester City boss witnessed the rebirth of one of the most 'iconic football clubs in Britain' during his side's 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Much-changed Leicester actually took the lead at St James' Park through Ademola Lookman in the 19th minute but, crucially, Newcastle did not fold as the Magpies did in the reverse fixture back in December.
Bruno Guimaraes duly equalised on the half-hour mark before the Brazil international dramatically won the game for Newcastle in the 95th minute with a diving header to take the roof off St James'. Perhaps, it is not a surprise that Eddie Howe has picked up 69% of his points to date at home given the remarkable atmosphere the Newcastle head coach has tapped into in recent months.
Rodgers has certainly never seen St James' quite like this - all of the Northern Irishman's previous visits came during the Ashley era - and the Leicester boss was keen to pay tribute to a 'fantastic fanbase' after the game.
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
