Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Inter's Barella stance
Newcastle United are yet to launch an official bid for Nicolo Barella of Inter Milan - but have made it known to the Champions League finalists they like the Italy international.
Reports of an enquiry came via the Daily Telegraph and Sky Sports last night after an intermediary informed Inter of Eddie Howe's interest in the classy 26-year-old midfielder. Barella's wages at Inter are currently around £150,000 per week plus bonuses but it would take a significant raise to lure him from the club he loves.
Inter chiefs dismissed any prospect of Newcastle landing him at £50million last night. And Inter supremo Steven Zhang's initial stance is believed to be that Barella is "not for sale" with his valuation significantly higher according to sources in Milan.
Newcastle's fixtures released
Newcastle United will start the 2023/24 season with a home opener against Unai Emery's Aston Villa on August 12.
The clash against Emery's Europa Conference League qualifiers kicks off at 5.30pm and will be quickly followed by two even tougher tests for the Magpies. For Newcastle will then face a trip to the Pep Guardiola's treble winners Manchester City in the second weekend of the campaign before Liverpool head to St James' Park a week later.
United's fourth game of the new season will be away to another side that have qualified for Europe in the shape of Brighton & Hove Albion on September 2. September's fixtures also include an away day at newly promoted Sheffield United while another team on the up in Burnley head to Tyneside at the end of that month.
Kulusevski offered
Newcastle United have been offered the chance to buy Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus after Tottenham Hotspur's failure to qualify for the Champions League got them out of a €35million obligation to buy the Sweden international.
With Spurs failing to qualify for any of the European competitions they were instead offered first refusal to buy the winger after Juventus officials met with Spurs in London. The 23-year-old has spent the last two years on loan with Spurs but is now being offered around the Premier League - and is keen to play in the Champions League.
Kulusevski's representatives World Soccer Agency are now seeking a new challenge for the Juventus player. However, Newcastle, who have scouted the player in the past, will not be hurried into making any decisions.
