The Newcastle United headlines for Thursday, June 9.
Latest on Newcastle vs Milan for Botman
Newcastle United and AC Milan are still duking it out to sign defender Sven Botman from Lille. With the Serie A club still awaiting confirmation of a takeover though, it is Newcastle whose confidence is increasing.
Chronicle Live understands that Lille's asking price of around €30million has been agreed by the Magpies. Milan meanwhile have a verbal agreement in place with Botman but can't cough up the fee until the club's purchase by US private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners is confirmed.
Botman's representatives briefed the Dutch media last night and indicated that neither Newcastle or Milan had won the race for his services. Botman has already said goodbye to Lille and is currently on international duty.
Read more here.
£50m Newcastle rumour on Italian front pages
Newcastle United made front page news in Italy today after being linked with AS Roma skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini.
The Italy international is in form this summer after scoring goals in his country's UEFA Nations League campaign against Hungary and Germany. And the man who lifted the Europa Conference League trophy with Roma woke up to his name in headlines on Corriere dello Sport.
An offer of £50million was being touted by the Italian media today but Newcastle have not responded to reports at this stage. The publication suggests the offer was turned down by Jose Mourinho's side.
The 25-year-old midfielder struck 14 times in 41 matches for Roma last season and made eight assists. He is due to face England in Wolverhampton on Saturday night in the Nations League.
Read the full story here.
Isaac Hayden on Newcastle's period of 'no hope'
Isaac Hayden had a message for fans after his six-year stint at Newcastle United ended with a loan deal to Norwich City.
The 27-year-old told Chronicle Live: "There's been times where it hasn't been enjoyable. When it has felt like there's no hope.
"Believe me, the players at times have felt like that in moments where we felt we couldn't progress as a club and move forward. This ownership is only going to improve the club.
"As I and some of the lads discussed before the season ended, the club is going in a new direction. They're going to be spending money and obviously bringing in high quality players.
"That's all the players want; you want to get better players in that can help you and help to progress the club."
Hayden also talked about the impact of Rafa Benitez. Read the full interview here.
Matt Targett reveals what Eddie Howe told him
Matt Targett has revealed Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe informed him of his transfer interest before the season ended. The defender has signed a four-year deal with the Magpies, making his loan switch a permanent one on Wednesday.
Targett, 26, played 16 times for Newcastle as the club pulled away from the relegation zone, with Aston Villa allowing the player to depart for a fee of around £15m this week. Now the left-back has admitted that Howe made his feelings clear before the final game of the campaign.
Targett said: "I spoke to the manager just before the Burnley game and he said he wanted to sign me. After the last game of the season it went quiet for a bit but about a week or so ago it started to liven up again.
"So we've been back and forth recently but I'm over the moon that we got it done.”
Read the full story here.
