A round up of all of today’s news and gossip:
- The Daily Mail’s Charles Sale has revealed that Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners believe the club’s value will drop by £125m if relegated – providing a potential insight into what appears to be the main stumbling block in current negotiations. Full story here.
- Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has launched an incredible attack on NUFC boss Rafa Benitez, claiming the Spaniard is the man to blame for ALL of our struggles this season – stating Mike Ashley is in no way responsible in a lie-fuelled rant on his personal website. Read is astonishing rant here.
- According to Spanish reports, La Liga side Athletic Bilbao have made an enquiry for star midfielder Mikel Merino – asking how much the 21-year old would cost them if we were to be relegated to the Championship. See full transfer story here.
- Widespread reports today that NUFC have tabled an official loan offer for Leicester City striker Islam Slimani, with us emerging as big favourites with to bookies to sign the Algerian forward next month. Read full story here.
- Some very dubious claims have arrived from Italy today, with an ‘exclusive’ from Tutto Mercato claiming that Newcastle are preparing for Rafa Benitez to leave the club at the end of the season and have contacted Reading boss Jaap Stam as a potential replacement. Read full story here.
- NUFC midfielder Isaac Hayden has suggested that Mike Ashley does actually realise the potential of NUFC, he just hasn’t got the money to take it to where it deserves to be – stating that it will be ‘amazing’ when a takeover is finally completed at the club. Some interesting comments – read them in full here.
- Newcastle scouts have been spotted watching Porto’s cup tie against Vitória Guimarães last Thursday and were believed to be tracking in-form striker Vincent Aboubakar according to reports in Portugal – Full story here.
- According to an amusing exclusive by TEAMtalk, Newcastle United outcast Jack Colback could be set to make a shock return to Sunderland in next month’s January transfer window. Read full transfer story here.
