Your Newcastle United headlines for Sunday, July 31.
Bruno talks Lingard danger
Bruno Guimaraes has highlighted Jesse Lingard as the man to be wary of next weekend. Despite being heavily linked with a move to Tyneside, the midfielder opted to join Nottingham Forest on a free transfer.
Lingard was a bit-part player at Manchester United last season and was released when his contract expired at the end of the campaign. Ahead of the Premier League opener, Guimaraes backed his teammates to “take care” of the 29-year-old.
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"Yes, he is a good player, a famous player,” he said after the 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao. “We need to take care of him because he is a big player."
"It's difficult to say this (whether he would have liked Lingard at Newcastle). We have good players here. I have a lot of confidence in the boys here, I believe in the team and I believe in myself."
Botman on St James’ Park
Sven Botman was in awe of the Magpies’ ability to attract almost 90,000 fans to two pre-season friendlies. Back-to-back wins against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao rounded off a solid summer schedule for the season opener against Forest.
The Dutchman made his first appearance at St James’ Park against the latter and spoke to NUFC TV after the game. "I enjoyed it a lot - it's amazing," Botman said. "I think if you ask me one club that has a full stadium in a friendly game, I don't think I could tell you. Newcastle is one, it's crazy and great to feel the atmosphere and play here.
"I enjoyed it and I was looking in the stadium and realising what was happening and enjoyed the moment. We had a long pre-season and the best thing is to be in the season with a lot of games. I always prefer league games so I'm looking forward to it."
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More Maddison talk
Former Chelsea and Marseille striker Tony Cascarino insists Leicester City should brace themselves for a second bid from Newcastle for James Maddison. It is understood the Magpies had an initial offer - believed to be around £40million - rejected for the midfielder.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Cascarino said: "James Maddison is a very gifted footballer. Great on set pieces, great on assists, can chip in with really terrific goals and he was playing to that level.
“Now, the one thing that interests me about this attempted move is Newcastle are going for an attacking midfielder because that's what James Maddison is.
“If they're offered and we're led to believe they've offered £40million, it's pretty clear they'll probably go to £50(million), which is tempting for Leicester. Leicester have been a far more successful club than Newcastle in recent history but it's quite clear Newcastle are being very ambitious.”
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