Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Friday, June 2, 2023.
Newcastle 'so close' to Minteh deal
Newcastle United are 'so close' to reaching an agreement to sign Yankuba Minteh from Odense Boldklub.
That is according to Bjorn Wesstrom, Odense's director of football, who was the first to publicly reveal that the Danish side were in 'close negotiations' with an unnamed foreign club on Friday morning. The mystery club, of course, is understood to be Newcastle, who have been tracking Minteh's development for several months now.
Negotiations are so advanced that Odense have taken the decision to leave Minteh out of the squad for Saturday's clash against FC Midtjylland. Although it is a huge game for OB, who are playing for a place in Europe, the club have also had to balance the risk that the highly-rated winger could pick up an injury.
READ MORE: Newcastle's Financial Fair Play strategy clear as club make move to potentially save millions
Odense, ultimately, felt they were closer to agreeing the transfer than to qualifying for the Europa Conference League. Wesstrom confirmed that there were still some 'small things' to finalise, but OB decided to omit Minteh at the weekend because an agreement was 'so close'.
“As always with a transfer, there are three parties who must be satisfied - otherwise there will be no transfer," he told Stemmer Fra Adalen "We have come so far that we took a player out of a match situation so it is clear that we are close to getting what we want.”
Xavi stance on Raphinha future
Barcelona boss Xavi has poured cold water on any transfer speculation linking Raphinha to Newcastle United. The former Leeds United winger secured his dream move to the Nou Camp last summer, following in the footsteps of idol Ronaldinho.
After early struggles at the Spanish side, Raphinha recovered to make 35 appearances in Barca's title winning side, scoring seven goals and registering 7 assists. Despite a relatively strong end to the season, the Brazilian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the La Liga giants.
Mainly due to their dismal ongoing financial situation. However, Xavi has insisted he wants the Brazilian international to stay at the Nou Camp for next season, although admits it may be out of his control.
"No, Raphinha is a very important footballer for me," Xavi told Mundo Deportivo. "No no. Raphinha, if it's up to me, stays at Barça and is going to help us a lot. He has helped us, he has made a difference. He has made a lot of differences."
Lingard released
Former Newcastle United transfer target Jesse Lingard has been released by Nottingham Forest. The ex-Manchester United star signed a one-year deal at the City Ground last summer, but struggled to make an impact for Steve Cooper's side.
Lingard scored twice in the Carabao Cup for the newly-promoted outfit, but failed to register a goal or an assist in the Premier League. The 30-year-old made just a solitary substitute appearance in Forest's final 12 fixtures, with the club securing survival in their penultimate fixture with a home victory over Arsenal.
Forest released their retained list on Friday, with Lingard one of six players to leave at the end of their contracts. Former Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback will also depart following five seasons with the club.
READ NEXT
- Richarlison fires dig at Callum Wilson as Tottenham star responds to Newcastle striker's celebration jibe
- Newcastle close in on first summer signing as club in advanced talks for seven-figure wonderkid
- Eddie Howe makes 'very best' promise to Newcastle owners after summer transfer budget query
- Newcastle scout's Wembley assignment with Viktor Gyokeres tipped for £25m move
- James Maddison urged to snub Tottenham transfer and join 'perfect fit' Newcastle
