Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines on Saturday, June 24.
Newcastle statement shuts down Chelsea fears as Yasir Al-Rumayyan warns the Premier League
Newcastle United had just qualified for the Champions League following the Magpies' best league finish in two decades. It was a season where Eddie Howe's side reached a first cup final in 24 years. "Did we expect to do that?" chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan asked. "Yes."
In his first sit-down interview with NUFC TV, Al-Rumayyan said that he was 'quite happy' with the team's results after Newcastle went from fighting relegation to finishing in the top four in the space of little more than a year. Quite happy? These are now the standards at the club.
In fact, Al-Rumayyan went on to state that Newcastle should 'have an ambition and aspiration to be number one'. That statement felt like a warning to the rest of the Premier League. Newcastle, clearly, are not happy with just being in and amongst the elite.
Read the full story, here.
Jamaal Lascelles' six-word response to Newcastle's move for Sandro Tonali as medical planned
Jamaal Lascelles has backed Sandro Tonali to be a 'great signing' for Newcastle United as the Magpies finalise a move for the AC Milan star.
Tonali has agreed terms on a six-year contract with Newcastle and the Italy international is set to undergo a medical in the coming days. Newcastle and Milan are thrashing out the finer details of the big-money deal, which is worth at least £55m, but there are not expected to be any late hitches.
Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, flew back from Romania to Milan on Friday night, after holding further face-to-face talks with Newcastle and his client, who is in Cluj for the UEFA under-21 European Championships. Riso said it will be the 'perfect project' for Tonali - a player Newcastle 'wanted at all costs' - and the midfielder's imminent arrival has certainly gone down well in the Magpies dressing room.
READ MORE: Premier League given detailed information as Newcastle part-owners finalise deals with Chelsea
Newcastle fan Morgan Mitchell bumped into Lascelles when the club captain was back home in his native Derby on Friday night. When asked about the prospect of Newcastle signing Tonali, Lascelles simply said: "He's a great signing for us."
Read the full story, here.
Gary Neville's Newcastle takeover reaction that was 'unpopular with a few people in this room'
Gary Neville has stressed that he had 'no problem' with Newcastle United's takeover - even if the Manchester United legend has taken issue with the Saudi Pro League's big-money moves.
"When the Saudis took over at Newcastle, I spoke openly that I didn't have a problem with the ownership coming in," he told the Football Supporters' Congress via the MEN. "That will be unpopular with a few people in this room, but I haven't had a problem with Abu Dhabi over the last 10 years.
"What I do have a problem with is improper transactions [transfers]. I would also like to know how the Saudis have got into the Premier League, so I'd like to have transparency. I'd like to know the set criteria for how an owner gets into a football club.
"The word on the street was Boris Johnson said 'in they come' and whether that's true or not, will probably be revealed in the future."
Read the full story, here.
Mancini explains 'problem' with Tonali's imminent Newcastle transfer and admits 'regrets'
Roberto Mancini fears there are 'problems' with Italian football if Newcastle United complete a deal for Sandro Tonali. The AC Milan star has agreed a six-year contract with the Magpies, and is due to undergo a medical in the coming days in a transfer expected to be worth at least £55 million.
Tonali is currently on international duty with Italy's under-21s, and impressed despite their opening defeat to France on Thursday night. The midfielder's agent Giuseppe Riso has confirmed Newcastle provides a 'perfect project' for the player, having held face-to-face talks with the 23-year-old and Magpies' representatives.
The impending transfer has sparked debate in Italy, with AC Milan fans conflicted about watching one of their prized assets decide to leave for the Premier League. Italy boss Mancini was asked about the transfer, and while accepting the midfielder would benefit from playing in England, he admits he harbours 'regrets' in watching one of the country's top talents opt to swap Serie A for St James' Park.
He told Sky Sports Italia via Calciomercato: “On the one hand there’s some regrets, if a player as good and young as Tonali leaves Italy it means there’s some problems. On a technical level though, playing in the Premier League will serve Tonali well, it’s good for him.”
Read the full story, here.
