A look at your Newcastle United evening headlines on Thursday 21, July.
Benjamin Sesko can learn from Haris Vuckic's Newcastle United lessons and replicate path from Domžale
RB Salzburg forward Benjamin Sesko can follow in the footsteps of former Newcastle United forward Haris Vuckic after his agent was spotted on Tyneside yesterday. The 19-year-old Slovenian is being touted as the next Erling Haaland, following in the footsteps of the Norwegian in Austria and being tipped to burst onto the scene in Europe.
The 6ft4 striker began his football education in his hometown of Radece, first appearing on the radar in his native country scoring an impressive 59 goals in just 23 games for second division outfit Krsko's Under-15s in 2017-18. That form saw him earn a move to two-time champions Domžale - the club where Vuckic burst onto the scene before signing for Newcastle.
There's plenty of comparisons to be made between the two, with both attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe despite their young age. However, with young players there's always the danger that they won't fulfil their potential, as was the sad case with Vuckic.
Eddie Howe message to players as Newcastle United set off to Portugal without new faces
Eddie Howe and Newcastle United set off for Portugal today for part two of the club's summer training camp - with the Toon boss hoping his squad can sharpen up in the final third.
The Magpies couldn't find a breakthrough against Mainz 05 in Monday's 1-0 defeat and didn't score in the first 45 minutes against 1860 Munich before eventually going on to win 3-0. Newcastle will two more chances to improve their goalscoring prowess during the trip to Portugal and despite setting off without another new forward through the door, Howe praised the frontmen he already has in Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, Chris Wood, Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron.
Howe said: "We always want creativity, first day last day, we want to score goals and create chance, that's how we want to play. It was a difficult pitch, it's so hot and the ball is slow, so when you are the team trying to make the game that's not easy. But saying that we have very good players and should be doing a little bit better than we did."
Newcastle transfer profile wish as club prepare to say emotional farewell to another stalwart
Newcastle United want to bring in quality players who understand what it means to play for the club as the Magpies prepare to say goodbye to another stalwart in Dwight Gayle.
Gayle is closing in on a permanent move to Stoke City after six years on Newcastle's books and those at the club have wished the striker well. It is easy to see why.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Newcastle would not even be in the Premier League if it was not for Gayle and the Londoner became the first player since Alan Shearer to score at least 20 league goals in a season when the Magpies won the Championship in 2017. Supporters have certainly not forgotten those crucial strikes against Norwich City and Leeds United, in particular.
Newcastle United boss hails success of Austria trip despite £10million blow of Ohio Cup cancellation
Eddie Howe says that Newcastle United have put the setback of seeing their trip to the United States firmly behind them in pre-season so far.
In some ways, it could be argued that the less commercial trip to Austria last week, and this week's journey to Portugal, has been better for the Magpies. Longer haul trips around the globe to the US and the Far East especially usually mean more media and commercial activities for the players and staff and less time on the training field.
But Newcastle managed to get the balance exactly right in Austria last week with a good combination of work and team building. True, there was some media activity for the players but it was all neatly packaged into a media day at the team hotel after training on Sunday.
RB Salzburg make Benjamin Sesko transfer situation 'very clear' after agent's Newcastle visit
Red Bull Salzburg have insisted that Benjamin Sesko's situation is 'very clear' after the striker's agent got Newcastle United supporters excited following his trip to Tyneside.
Elvis Basanovic posted photographs from both Newcastle Airport and the Quayside on his Instagram stories on Tuesday evening before later deleting the posts after they were spotted by eagle-eyed fans the next day. Given how Sesko is Basanovic's most valuable client, the agent's visit naturally got fans speculating when Newcastle like the player and are actively trying to bring in more firepower.
The exact purpose of Basanovic's visit is still not clear although it is certainly not uncommon for agents to embark on fact-finding missions to learn more about potential destinations for their clients. Various figures now working behind the scenes at Newcastle have also previously been known to let agents know the club are tracking one of their young clients long before they even make a formal bid.
Eddie Howe confident of two new Newcastle United signings amid Jack Harrison demands
Eddie Howe remains confident that Newcastle United will make a transfer breakthrough in time for the Premier League's big kick off.
Despite being dealt transfer blows on Hugo Ekitike, who opted for Paris St-Germain, and Moussa Diaby, who says he is staying at Bayer Leverkusen, Howe and sporting director Dan Ashworth have other targets in mind. One of them is Leeds United's Jack Harrison but negotiations remain ongoing over a price for the £35million rated winger.
Howe likes the Stoke-born Elland Road star but Newcastle have not come close to Leeds' valuation of the star. Harrison has two years left on his current deal with the Yorkshire club which puts them in a strong position on an asking price.
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