Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Wednesday, June 15.
Botman wants Milan
La Gazzetta dello Sport report Sven Botman is only interested in a move to AC Milan. Toon chiefs had hoped to make progress in their attempt to sign the Dutch U21 international, who was heavily linked with the Magpies in January.
However, Italian outlets claim the centre-back is not interested in a Newcastle move and is holding out for the Serie A champions. The transfer saga is at a stalemate and Botman is now enjoying his end-of-season holiday.
ChronicleLive reported last week that Newcastle and Lille had agreed a €30million fee while the player mulled over a move. New sporting director Dan Ashworth watched Botman in action against Wales U21 last week, sparking rumours that a deal was close. However, given the fact the 22-year-old featured in a mocked-up image wearing red and black stripes on the front of the Italian newspaper, under the headline ‘Botman only wants Milan’, it seems any hope of reaching a deal soon is wide of the mark.
‘NUFC tried to sign me’ - Carrick
Michael Carrick has revealed Newcastle tried to sign him when Sir Bobby Robson was in charge. A stellar career for the Wallsend-born midfielder saw Carrick win five Premier League titles and the Champions League but he never represented his boyhood club.
Following Gary Speed’s departure in 2004, the 40-year-old admitted his hometown team enquired but opted to sign Nicky Butt instead.
"The closest was probably in the early days when I was at West Ham and Sir Bobby was manager at the time," Carrick told ChronicleLive. "They were looking to sign me.
"I think they ended up signing Nicky Butt in the end from Man United, but that's just football. For whatever reason, things go your way or don't. To be honest, it's not something I look back on at all and regret. It just is what it is."
To read Ciaran Kelly’s exclusive interview in full, click here.
Ramage reshuffle
Peter Ramage has been relieved of his duties as U18 coach and will now work as assistant loan coordinator, working under Shola Ameobi. The former Toon defender managed the Magpies’ youth side last season but Ashworth is keen to appoint his own man as part of an academy shake-up.
Following the reshuffle, Ramage posted: "Delighted to begin a role as assistant player loan-coordinator at Newcastle United. I'm excited about the new role and continue to work tirelessly to help produce and develop talent for this wonderful football club."
To read more, click here.
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