Here are your top Newcastle United headlines for May 5.
Transfer 'challenge'
Eddie Howe has quipped even he has an ego as the Newcastle United boss discussed the 'challenge' of bringing in quality signings who will buy into the team-first mentality at the club.
Although Howe's focus is solely on Sunday's visit of Arsenal, as Newcastle bid to take another step towards qualifying for the Champions League, the Magpies boss acknowledged that he already knows 'what direction I want to take the team in and what we can and can’t do in the transfer market'. Howe, himself, has researched targets and the club's recruitment team have been planning for the window for several months now. In fact, as far back as January, sporting director Dan Ashworth said 'we're clear with what we want to do in the summer'.
Newcastle look set to be in the market for a holding midfielder, wide forward, left-back and centre-back and the emphasis will be on evolution rather than revolution once more. As ever, the club will leave no stone unturned with their character checks to try and ensure that new additions won't disrupt the dressing room. However, given how elite players are typically even more sure of their own abilities, does that task get harder the higher up the table Newcastle go?
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Speculation rubbished
Eddie Howe has responded to increased talk that Newcastle United are in the mix to sign soon to be available superstars such as Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The links have been picked up by national websites in the UK but Howe does not feel the club are in a position to attract a player like £650,000 per week Neymar.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Arsenal game, the Newcastle boss said: “I think that kind of speculation has been there from day one since the takeover really."
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Dummett's future
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe wants to retain Paul Dummett beyond this season.
The Geordie defender's current deal expires at the end of the season but Howe suggested that he would be offered a new contract when asked directly about the player's future.
Dummett is understood to have been fully fit since the season restarted after the World Cup but has been unable to find a way into Howe's defence.
The long serving defender almost got a cameo against Southampton but the ball did not go out of play in stoppage time and he was denied a win bonus. But Howe is keen to give him more opportunities for Newcastle when the time is right.
You can read the full story here.
Isak and Wilson 'temptation'
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits that the temptation to play Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson together is building.
Wilson is ending the season in prolific form with 15 goals to his name so far while Isak has 10 to his name. The duo showed what they can do on Sunday against Southampton when Isak laid one off for Wilson to fire home in the 3-1 win.
With the pair in sparkling form, Howe says that he is thinking about using them from the start when Arsenal come to St James' Park. Speaking at his Press conference he said: "It’s not the first time the temptation has been there to play them together."
You can read the full story here.
Arteta's message
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal's latest trip to face Newcastle United will be a 'very different game' after seeing their top-four hopes end on Tyneside last season. However, the Gunners boss admits they will have to 'play better' if they are to emerge with the victory required to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the title race.
Having led the Premier League for most of the campaign, Arsenal now trail Pep Guardiola's side and could be four points adrift come kick-off on Sunday afternoon. St James' Park will not hold fond memories for the title challengers however, with a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in May last year all but ending their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Eddie Howe confirmed he would not be looking to last season's memorable encounter for inspiration in his pre-match press conference on Friday, arguing both sides have made huge improvements in the intervening year. Arteta echoed the words of his counterpart, but warned his side will have to be at the top of their game to pick up a win in the North East.
You can read the full story here.
READ NEXT
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- Dan Burn 'can't believe' Newcastle United end of season scenario ahead of Arsenal encounter
- Liverpool handed 'final nail in coffin' after Newcastle's win over Southampton
- Gary Neville explains who he wants to see win when Newcastle United face Arsenal
- Newcastle transfer rumours with Magpies 'willing' to pay £35m clause amid Khephren Thuram claim
