Newcastle United's pre-season plans could unfold next month following suggestions the Magpies are due to jet back to the United States this summer.
Chronicle Live understands Premier League chiefs are expected to firm up plans for summer participation across the pond after recent top-flight meetings saw Newcastle, Leeds, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea mooted for friendly games across the States. New Jersey, Philadelphia and Atlanta were all mentioned as potential venues - which would be a massive boost for United fans Stateside.
The Premier League have indicated confirmation for all the clubs mentioned will come soon - although with Leeds threatened by relegation, there is a question mark over their involvement in a top-flight backed tournament. For the first time in many years though, Newcastle can plan for pre-season knowing which division they will be in next season with 41 points in the bag.
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And Brighton have told their own fanbase: "The club expects to confirm pre-season overseas travel plans for July 2023 towards the end of March. We are aware of the level of interest from our supporters and will announce details as soon as plans are finalised."
Newcastle were due to play in a tournament in Ohio last season with Wolverhampton Wanderers set to be opponents but the pre-season competition was scrapped at the last minute. That forced Newcastle to rearrange their plans and head to Austria and Portugal instead.
Newcastle last toured the States in 2015 ahead of Steve McClaren's only campaign in charge but that season would be ill-fated. Games against Atlas of Mexico, a 2-1 defeat, Sacramento Republic, a 1-0 win, and Portland Timbers B, a 4-3 defeat, capped a gruelling trip across America over a 10-day stay.
But it did not prove to be a good chapter in the club's history as McClaren's team ended up in relegation trouble and Rafa Benitez could not save the Magpies with 10 games left. A previous visit to the States in 2011 saw Alan Pardew's side tour Kansas City, Orlando and Columbus, drawing in Kansas, losing to Orlando and beating MLS side Columbus Crew.
That tour was full of problems with venues, travel plans and Jose Enrique's Twitter meltdown but the squad went on to qualify for Europe in fifth place. The prospect of a trip to Atlanta is feasible given CEO Darren Eales' association with the MLS side and Miguel Almiron having a possible return to his old club.
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