Here are the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Tuesday, 31 May 2022.
Almiron agent
There have been strong rumours surrounding Miguel Almiron and a potential move away from Tyneside before the start of next season. But his agent insists the player will not be leaving Newcastle United this summer, with his release clause reportedly set at £60m.
The 28-year-old Paraguayan arrived at Newcastle in 2019 for a fee of £21m from MLS side Atalanta United for a then-club record fee. But he has been linked to the likes of Everton, Fulham and Sevilla in recent weeks ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, Almiron’s agent Daniel Campos insists Almiron is going nowhere this transfer window. “There are always rumours about players in the transfer market," he told Versus Radio.
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"However, we don’t have any definitive interest shown by any club. Usually, the clubs negotiate within themselves but don’t contact the agent. He has a release clause of £60 million. He is happy to stay at the club and most importantly, he is playing.”
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Bent on Ashworth
Former England striker Darren Bent has labelled Newcastle United’s appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director as ‘phenomenal’. Ashworth’s arrival at St. James’ Park was finally confirmed on Monday after months of talks over a compensation package with Brighton & Hove Albion, subject to Premier League approval.
Ashworth resigned from his role at Brighton back in February, where he has played a key role in the Seagulls establishing themselves as a strong Premier League side in recent seasons, with their ninth-place finish last term their best so far. Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent could not hide his admiration for Newcastle’s appointment, claiming he is the perfect man to help oversee the recruitment side of things at the club with such huge financial backing.
He said: “That is massive for Newcastle, because he is phenomenal – Dan Ashworth. The transformations he has done, what he does, some of the targets he has identified, the job he did at Brighton. That is massive and he worked for the FA as well.
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Ashworth and Botman
United are awaiting the green light for Dan Ashworth to start work but the biggest hurdle have been overcome after agreeing compensation with Brighton & Hove Albion during what was a busy Monday at St James' Park.
United are confident the Premier League's process to pass Ashworth as incoming sporting director will go through smoothly and he can start work soon. Whether it comes quick enough to intervene on a possible deal for Lille defender Sven Botman remains to be seen.
Sources in Italy have indicated that AC Milan still retain confidence in getting a deal done for the Dutchman but with a takeover still in the balance there is still a chance that another club could steal in and grab the Holland Under-21 star. Botman is actually on duty with the Dutch U21s until June 11 and has three fixtures with his country in the European Championship qualifiers.
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Kennedy on UCL final events
Former Newcastle United and Sunderland defender Alan Kennedy has shared his traumatic version of events after the shambolic Champions League final last weekend. The showpiece between Real Madrid and Liverpool was tainted by ugly scenes outside the Stade de France before and after kick-off.
The organisation of the UEFA spectacle has been criticised after the kick-off was delayed due to large crowds unable to enter the stadium. Kennedy was one of many panicked Liverpool supporters stuck outside the Paris stadium and has recounted his first-hand version of the "frightening" event.
“Obviously we were supporting Liverpool and going towards the block that we should have gone to, but there was no way we could get there within that period of time before the kickoff,” Kennedy told BBC 5 Live. "There were too many people, some were coming from sideways, some were going straight on, some were coming against us. These are fans who didn’t know where to go.”
Read more here.
