Newcastle United

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.

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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

Newcastle United are close to agreeing a deal worth more than £60m to sign 24-year-old England centre-back Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between Yokohama F. Marinos and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: The team seemed worn-out with the heat and travelling. These long journeys for friendlies don't really tell us much about the shape and sharpness of the squad. That's apart from giving so many fringe players a game or a half.

Colin: The heat was the winner in this game!

Scott: The purpose of a pre-season friendly is to build match fitness and sharpness, which I believe this game provided. The temperature and the fact the opposition are mid-season means the result is irrelevant. I thought there was no purposeful width with Miguel Almiron giving a fruitless display and Anthony Gordon clearly missed on the left. All-in-all a great workout.

Ken: With the rubbish signings we’ve made, I realise we’re in for a long hard season. There’s no ambition at our club and I fear that they’ll sell Gordon to Liverpool and that will make them miles ahead of us. If that performance is anything to go by then god help us when we play a good team!

PY: Poor passing and poor crossing. I appreciate it’s early days with a new group of players, but we should be getting these things right from the off. I am still very hopeful for the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos: "It was a good test for us. It was a difficult game against very good opposition.

"I thought we started brightly and faded after we conceded. I am disappointed with the result, of course. We didn't do well enough to cause their goal more harm."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos in their final game of the J League International Series in Japan.

What did you learn from this game, Newcastle fans?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

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

Here's a look at where teams are in action on a busy Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle midfielder Tommy Cassidy has died at the age of 73.

Born in Belfast, Cassidy began his career at Glentoran before joining the Magpies in 1970.

Cassidy spent 10 years with Newcastle, making 239 appearances and scoring 28 goals. He played a key role in runs to the 1974 FA Cup final and 1976 League Cup final.

He also won 24 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring once, and was part of their squad for the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

After retiring, he enjoyed a lengthy career in management including spells in charge of Gateshead, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans.

Newcastle are in advanced talks with Sheffield United to sign the Blades' 20-year-old Danish striker William Osula for an initial £10m. (Telegraph - subscription needed), external

Nottingham Forest are not looking to cash in on 24-year-old English midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, despite interest from Newcastle, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea. (HITC), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says beating Urawa Red Diamonds in hot conditions in Japan will have done his side "the world of good".

The Magpies won 4-1 with a double from Jacob Murphy and a goal each from Alexander Isak and Lewis Hall.

"It was really hard conditions for the lads today, I was sweating just watching," Howe told club media after the game. "That will have done us the world of good.

"Tough physically but I thought the lads did really well to execute what we wanted to do. Four good goals.

"It's not just the heat, its the travelling. You can manage the flight but how do you feel two days afterwards to give your best performance in these conditions?

"It's a mental test more than anything and the players passed that test. I think we will come back from this match stronger."

Newcastle conceded an equaliser after Isak opened the scoring and goalkeeper Nick Pope had to make a fine save to from a penalty shortly after to prevent his team falling behind.

"Not a perfect defensive performance so work to do there but overall very happy," Howe added.

"I thought it was a patchy performance to be honest. There were some really good bits and some bits to work on."

Isak scored 25 goals in all competitions last season and Howe was impressed by his performance in Japan.

"I thought he was amazing today," he added.

"He looked really sharp, looked really fluid in his movement, really quick, dynamic, pressed well.

"Really happy with his individual performance."