Here are your latest Newcastle United headlines for May 25.
Sponsorship latest
Newcastle United will have no issues pushing through a sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia based company Sela if they agree the £25million a season offer that is on the table.
United have been around the table with a number of worldwide brands after a bidding process got under way earlier this year as firms battle it out to become the new sponsors. The deal will be the biggest in club history with Fun 88 about to end their agreement one year early.
Despite suggestions of scrutiny, one of the country's leading sports lawyers Stephen Taylor Heath, head of sports law at JMW Solicitors, told Chronicle Live: "The first thing to appreciate with regards to Newcastle United’s potential deal with Sela is that this will not receive the same type of scrutiny the current owners of Newcastle United encountered from potentially taking ownership in the first place.
You can read the full story here.
Champions League 'big difference'
Arsene Wenger famously likened qualifying for the Champions League to winning a trophy. Newcastle United's wait for silverware may go on, but returning to Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years feels like a watershed moment for the club - on and off the field.
While this is new ground for so many at St James' Park, it is not uncharted territory for chief executive Darren Eales and chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone, who have both experienced life in the Champions League with Spurs and Arsenal respectively. It will be these figures, in particular, who will look to maximise the off the field benefits of breaking into the top four.
Newcastle are set to announce a new front of shirt deal worth around £25m-a-year and qualifying for the Champions League will boost the club's prospects of securing a much-improved sleeve sponsor and a training kit partner, too. It is certainly a lot easier to justify a lucrative sponsorship deal is of fair market value when you are among the continent's elite.
No wonder, then, the club are searching for a new global director of brand, marketing and digital media to lead and develop a commercial strategy that 'sets the club apart from the competition'. Michael Leavey, who worked alongside Silverstone as Arsenal's executive director for media, marketing and customer relationship management, has predicted the Champions League will make a 'big difference' in that regard.
You can read the full story here.
Goalkeeper exits?
Eddie Howe has paid tribute to Nick Pope after the goalkeeper's season ended early due to the player going under the knife.
A troublesome finger issue could not wait any longer for Pope meaning that Martin Dubravka or Loris Karius will play against Chelsea this weekend. But Pope signed out after making one of the most important saves of the season as he helped grab the point required against Leicester with a late stop at St James' Park.
United must now make some tough decisions ahead of the summer window when the goalkeeping department will come under the spotlight. Whether Dubravka can cope with another season of playing deputy to Pope remains to be seen.
And Karl Darlow could be allowed to leave after a good loan spell at Hull City. Karius appeared to say his farewells after the 0-0 draw with the Foxes and is another who may be in the departure lounge.
You can read the full story here.
Isak interview
Alexander Isak has reflected on the "incredible" thing that shocked him in his first season as a Newcastle United star.
The Sweden international has been a hit since his £63million move from Real Sociedad last summer and has hit double figures for the Magpies. But he admits that becoming a Champions League player again has come earlier than expected.
Isak told reporters: "It means a lot. We knew this was a long-term project so for us to achieve this in such a short time, it is incredible. It was a truly unbelievable night here against Leicester at St James' Park with the fans, you can really see what it means to everyone. We're all very happy."
You can read the full story here.
READ NEXT
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- Brighton CEO opens up on Dan Ashworth's Newcastle exit and how successor was already picked
- Eddie Howe offers surprising answer to favourite Newcastle United game question
