Here are the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Wednesday, 25 May.
Given's six for summer
Shay Given has complied a list of six targets he believes Newcastle United should look to recruit this summer - and five of them are English. Despite the Magpies currently being linked with a host of players from all over the globe, the former St James' Park keeper reckons his old team would be wise to look closer to home as Eddie Howe seeks to strengthen the side's spine over the summer.
Of Given's five suggestions from these shores, four are current England internationals and the fifth an ex-Newcastle striker who still has designs on representing his country. The only non-English player the former Republic of Ireland legend has recommended for a close-season swoop is Denmark's Christian Eriksen, who is currently out of contract after ending last season at Brentford.
Given's other selections, made on Optus Sport’s Premier League review show, were Manchester United reserve keeper Dean Henderson, relegated Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski, Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Roma's 27-goal top scorer Tammy Abraham and one-time Toon frontman Ivan Toney, who only managed two league outings during his previous two-year spell in the North East, but has since established his Premier League credentials with Brentford. Listing the players he would like to see join the club ahead of the start of the 2022/23 campaign, the 46-year-old said: "Henderson, there looks like there’s a strong possibility he could come to the football club and challenge (Martin) Dubravka.
"Tarkowski at Burnley, perhaps. He’s on a free transfer. Kalvin Phillips at Leeds. I know Leeds fans won’t want to see him go but… Eriksen on a free as well.
"And then I think they need a striker. Ivan Toney maybe or Tammy Abraham, who’s had a great season in Italy. I think there’ll be four or five signings, but the right kind of people, the right kind of signings. I always think the spine of the team is so important."
READ MORE: Eddie Howe to get ruthless at Newcastle but has emotional farewell touch
Agent could be key in any Lodi deal
A friendly working relationship with Renan Lodi's agent could help Newcastle United see off the likes of Juventus in any fight for the Atletico Madrid left back's services this summer. The Brazilian's chief representative is compatriot Giuliano Bertolucci who, as an intermediary, also played a part in Bruno Guimaraes' January move to St James' Park.
Guimaraes' agent Alexis Malavolta even publicly thanked Bertolucci for his role in the deal. With the relationship of fellow Brazil internationals Lodi and Guimaraes dating back to their youth-team days together at Atletico Paranaense, that could also be a factor in any close-season switch from La Liga for the former, as could his status as an ex-Atletico team-mate of Magpies right-back Kieran Trippier.
Midfielder's new three-year deal is 'really special'
Sean Longstaff celebrated signing a new three-year contract at Newcastle United by admitting he has "loved every second" that he has worked under Eddie Howe. The 24-year-old, North Shields-born midfielder featured in 14 Premier League games following Howe's arrival at St James' Park in November, including starts in four of this season's final five fixtures.
Commenting on his new deal, Longstaff said: "I’m over the moon. To sign for three more years at your home-town club - especially with the way the club’s going and what the owners are putting in place - is really special for me and my family, and a day I’ll never forget. You need to be in the right place to learn and keep improving and, since the first day the new manager’s come in, I’ve loved every second of working with him."
