Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Wedbnesday, June 14, 2023.
Darlow surprising claim
Ever since he went to Hull City on loan last season, there was an expectation Karl Darlow would make that loan deal permanent and stay at the MKM Stadium. His form for the Tigers certainly convinced them that they wanted him to stay and sign a long-term deal, but it's not all proven to be as straight forward.
Darlow spent the second half of the season on loan at the MKM Stadium after moving to East Yorkshire from Tyneside on deadline day in January. He played 12 times for Liam Rosenior's side as they finished in mid-table in the Championship. In recent weeks speculation has grown that instead of staying in Hull, he could move further up the east coast to Middlesbrough.
Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer claims Darlow would prefer a move to Middlesbrough over Hull City after it emerged the Tigers could face competition for the Newcastle United goalkeeper.
Read more: How Newcastle United's 2023/24 Premier League fixtures are put together and what to expect
"Middlesbrough are keen on signing Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow," Palmer told Football League World. "This would be a shrewd bit of business. He spent the second half the season on loan at Hull where he was outstanding. Hull are keen to retain his services again next season, but should Boro pursue their interest, you would think Karl would favour a move to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough."
Agents fees released
Newcastle United spent £10.8million on agent fees during the 2022/23 season according to new data released by the FA. But they are way down the Premier League's table for agent fees and spent nowhere near the amount of big guns such as Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. The data is more evidence of Newcastle not spending lavish amounts despite having wealthy backers.
Newcastle were actually 11th in the table with Man City sitting at the top have splashed out £51.6m. Chelsea - who finished the season in the bottom half of the Premier League table - are next with £43.2m. And Liverpool came in with £33.7m. Leeds spent more on agents fees this season than almost any other Premier League club outside the traditional so-called ‘big six’. Overall in the 2022/23 season, Premier League clubs spent a record-breaking £2.8 billion on transfers.
Chelsea’s new owners flexed their muscles significantly as the Blues spent more than £500 million alone across both transfer windows. And according to new data released by the FA, clubs in the top flight shelled out a total of £318.2 million on agents/intermediaries fees during this season.
Compared to last year, spending on agents fees jumped up by 16.7%, with Premier League clubs spending £272.6 million in 2021/22. However, the increase in agent fees from the previous year was less significant than the increase in the overall transfer spend. PL clubs spent £1.44 billion on transfers in 2021/22. In 2022/23, the transfer outlay almost doubled to £2.8 billion.
United's £10.8million spend on fees includes deals for Sven Botman from Lille, Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad and Nick Pope from Burnley last summer. It was topped up by the January arrival of Anthony Gordon from Everton for £40m.
Retained list announced
Newcastle United have announced Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff will leave St James' Park at the end of their contracts while the club have triggered an extension for Matt Ritchie and Mark Gillespie with offers of deals to Loris Karius and Paul Dummett.
Newcastle have extended the stays of Matt Ritchie and Dan Burn while Mark Gillespie also stays on. The club said: "United have triggered an option to retain Matt Ritchie's services for another season, while offers have been made to Paul Dummett and Loris Karius.
Full story and club statement here
