Newcastle United

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Reuters

Charlotte FC have opened talks with Newcastle to sign winger Miguel Almiron.

The Major League Soccer team is led by former Aston Villa, Leicester and Brentford manager Dean Smith and there is a confidence they can strike a deal with Newcastle.

The Magpies are believed to be open to a sale but it is accepted that it will be more difficult to convince Almiron, 30, to return to the United States, where he won the MLS Cup with Atlanta United before moving to St James' Park in a £21m move in 2018.

The secondary MLS transfer window closes on 14 August.

Newcastle are looking at alternative options for a centre-back despite submitting a third bid to sign Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Newcastle are set to target Chelsea's 22-year-old English winger Noni Madueke if Eddie Howe's side sell Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron, 30, to Charlotte FC. (ipaper), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.

Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Harry De Cosemo
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

In short, no. This is what he said when first asked about the role, since confirming that there has been no formal contact from the Football Association.

"For me, as long as I am happy and feel supported and feel free to do the work that I love to do at Newcastle, I’ll be very happy and I am very happy," he said.

"It is an unbelievable football club. There has been no thought in my mind on anything else and I have been very committed to the job here."

Howe has always spoken publicly about his love of coaching "day to day", which is something he would have to give up if he were to replace Gareth Southgate.

He is also extremely settled in the North East with his family; it might be hard to prise him away, even if compensation could be agreed. Darren Eales has confirmed Howe signed a new multi-year contract last summer, which was not formally announced.

England talk won’t derail Howe’s focus. He is intense on every detail and as he said, that won’t waver; it is irrelevant until an offer is made, and that is not imminent after Lee Carsley was confirmed as interim boss.

Read more about Newcastle's summer here

Image source, Getty Images

The curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?

The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.

See the results here

Ever wondered what a matchday for BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck looks like?

The man behind the microphone gives a peek behind the scenes as he watches the Magpies' pre-season friendly with Girona.

Harry de Cosemo
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

At the beginning of July, Newcastle announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as their sporting director, replacing the Manchester United-bound Dan Ashworth. It was a real coup to lure a man who had an incredibly strong reputation after working with the likes of Tottenham, RB Leipzig and Monaco.

Not even a week later, Staveley left the club. In practical terms, it would change very little; every key job in the football, finance and commercial departments, which she had initially taken on after the takeover from previous owner Mike Ashley, had been filled by an industry-leading expert.

But in terms of perception, it was huge; Staveley remains incredibly popular with fans, as the instigator in usurping the ever-unpopular Ashley, and she was a huge emotional support to the players and, crucially, Eddie Howe.

It means Darren Eales, the CEO, is left to take a more proactive role at the front of the club. In an in-house interview with club media, Eales said Mitchell's role would be "90% recruitment", which differed from Ashworth who was "the centre of the wheel", as he himself put it, looking after the academy, scouting and women’s team.

Ashworth had also reportedly been unable to build a close relationship with Howe, who is known to be very private, trusting the "inner circle" of his coaching staff. With Mitchell coming in, as well as James Bunce - the new performance director whom he worked with at Monaco - and a streamlined brief which on the surface infringes on Howe’s role, the structure around the head coach has changed.

While on a pre-season training camp in Germany, Howe didn’t ease the tension when he said he needed to be happy with the dynamic for his sake and Newcastle’s. It was a very deliberate message to say he needs to be allowed to do his work.

Following a pre-season win at Hull on 27 July, Howe spoke of "positive talks", "multiple daily recruitment meetings" and the need for "collaboration".

Read more from BBC Sport on Newcastle United off-season key moments here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between Newcastle and Stade Brestois.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Was there on Saturday with my son in the sunshine. Sat next to someone from out of the area who was very impressed with our lovely stadium, even with 'only' 33,000 there. Nice safe atmosphere which was nice after having concerns about even going during the week.

Cliff: What a great way to finish pre season! A dominant performance by the lads, plus the defence has been much more resilient compared to last season.

Matthew: Overall a good performance against a 24-25 Champions League side but hard to judge as unsure how many first team Brest players were involved. New signings and fringe players did OK. Bruno was combative as ever. Miguel Almiron seemed a little off the pace and Fabian Schar getting injured was a worry.

Pete: Good physical workout against a good Champions League side in Brestois. No way Osula’s goal was offside, timed his run perfectly, and finished well. That’s two wins in two days, if we can have better luck with injuries than last season, looking good for a top three/four finish. Best game of the week-ender was the women’s game! Well done the lasses!

Brian: Solid performance but still short of strikers, needs addressing quickly.

Image source, Getty Images

Harvey Barnes' solitary first-half strike was enough to beat Ligue 1 side Stade Brestois at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.

The winger's goal was just reward for a dominant display in the opening 45 minutes where new signing William Osula was only denied a debut goal by the offside flag.

After the break, the Magpies comfortably held off the challenge of their French opponents to round off pre-season with a win.

Have you been to either of the two friendlies this weekend?

How are Eddie Howe's side shaping up before the big kick-off against Southampton?

Let us know your thoughts here, external - and return on Monday to read the submissions

The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.

Here's a look at some of the teams in action on a busy Saturday.

All times BST

Eddie Howe sat down with BBC Radio Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck to discuss the thumping friendly win over La Liga side Girona on Friday.

Watch the boss’ reflections below before the Magpies take on Stade Brestois later on Saturday.

Newcastle defender Emil Krafth spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about the club’s pre-season friendly with Girona.

Watch the video below.

Image source, Reuters

England forward Anthony Gordon scored for Newcastle United in their 4-0 pre-season win against Girona.

Sean Longstaff put the Magpies in front against the Spanish side when he slotted in a ball from Tino Livramento.

A Jacob Murphy shot extended Newcastle's lead against a side that finished third in La Liga last season.

Gordon was playing his first pre-season game for the Tyneside club, having returned on Tuesday after helping England reach the final of Euro 2024, and he added his side's third when he ran at Girona's goal and slotted in.

Alexander Isak missed a penalty for Newcastle before Longstaff scored his second goal of the match after 38 minutes.

Liverpool maintain a strong interest in England and Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon. However, a deal to buy the 23-year-old collapsed in June and Gordon's price will likely be elevated. (Liverpool Echo), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.

A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.

I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.

As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.

So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.

We asked for your views on Newcastle signing striker William Osula from Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: So, this is what the future is going to look like, we sign a lot of young players with potential - stocking the cupboards for want of a better expression - and then sell them at a profit later in order to meet PSR. Obviously, players with the most potential will get the most interest and biggest fees. So don't get attached to any of them.

Leonard: It looks as if Newcastle are buying from the bargain basement, with the opportunity to sell on players in the future, shying away from overspending.

Liam: Three goals in 31 games doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, but he was playing in one of the worst teams in Premier League history, so I'm willing to give him a chance.

Andrew: Genius! We have two fantastic centre-forwards in Wilson and Isak. Instead of buying a fully developed striker and needing to sell players, we've purchased a youngster who can learn from Wilson and Isak, but can cover if we have another injury crisis. Welcome to Tyneside! Under Howe, you'll become the best you can be!

Stephen: Great signing, youth and ambition, but where is the winger?

Ian: A strange one. 21 Premier League outings last season would suggest that he will settle in quickly. The impression given is that he is a rough diamond that needs polishing. Does this mean that there are no young strikers already at the club who have the potential to step up? Physically he fits the bill.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has responded to speculation of him leaving this summer by saying "I never said I would like to leave" in a news conference alongside manager Eddie Howe.

"I can't wait to start the season," he said. "It's going to be a big season for the club.

"I don't get involved with anything with my agent. I know nothing about it. My focus since signing for the club has been Newcastle.

"I'm very happy and the gaffer has given me a big responsibility to be in the leadership group. I want to be a leader and help the club in so many ways. I also want to help this guy [Howe] because I am grateful for him. I want to deliver something special for them.

"I want to put my name in club history and nothing has changed. I want to win some trophies because the fans deserve it. I said I wanted to play Champions League and everyone said I was crazy. We got that and now we want it again. This is still my dream."

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe says he is "very comfortable" with having qualification for European competition as Newcastle's target this season.

Speaking to the media ahead of the games against Genoa and Stade Brestois in the Sela Cup, he said: "We have to have high expectations of ourselves and we have to push ourselves internally.

"I think it's slightly different when you're in my position, because yes, you can have your targets, but nothing's going to be given to you. You have to earn the right to get to that point. And we have a very difficult Premier League season ahead because the competition is so high. We have to improve from last year.

"We've been working hard in pre-season to improve certain aspects of our play. Hopefully that shows by the time we kick off and we can build consistency and confidence in our game early.

"When I look at the squad, with the majority of the players fit, we look really strong. It is a very competitive squad.

"We have a couple of players to get back into the group. Callum Wilson and Matt Targett are the closest and they will make a massive difference. Obviously, there are then the longer term ones behind them."

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe says Newcastle's new signing William Osula has the "raw ingredients to become a great centre-forward" and will learn a lot from Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

"He's a player I've known since JT's [Jason Tindall] time at Sheffield United," Howe said. "We've been tracking him for three years and he excites us.

"He has all the raw ingredients to become a great centre-forward. Good physical profile and good technical skills. There are areas of his game to develop but he's coming to the right place to do that.

"It's a very tricky situation. We have two outstanding centre-forwards and to find someone to complement them isn't easy. As a young striker developing, he won't have two better to learn from. He is coming to a healthy environment.

"Financially it has to work for us as well because we can't spend outrageous sums of money. It's a good deal for us. We've got a lot of work to do with him, but he's a really good character."

Image source, Getty Images

New Newcastle United signing William Osula he "had to take the chance" to join the club.

The 21-year-old striker made 21 appearances in the Premier League for Sheffield United and has joined for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £15m.

Speaking to Newcastle's official club website, external Osula said: "I'm very happy to be here. It's a big club, a great club, so I'm very happy for the opportunity to join Newcastle United.

"It's a great opportunity, and as soon as I heard about Newcastle's interest, I knew I had to take the chance to join this club if it came.

"It has come, and I'm really happy to be here."

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: "William is a talented young forward with all the attributes to be an exciting player for Newcastle United.

"We have watched his development closely and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with him in this next step in his career.

"I know our supporters will join me in giving William a very warm welcome to the club and the city."

How do you feel about this signing Newcastle fans? What are you hoping Osula adds to the squad?

Have your say here, external

West Ham are interested in England right-back Kieran Trippier, with the 33-year-old's future at Newcastle yet to be decided. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column