A round up of all of today’s news & transfer gossip:
- The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder claims Newcastle ‘should’ now be set to complete a £16.5m deal to sign Salomon Rondon after news from the capital today that Aleksandar Mitrovic is ‘closing in’ on a £20m move to Fulham – Full story here.
- With the gaffer now back on Tyneside following our pre-season trip to Ireland, Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is now ‘hopeful’ that the club will seal summer signing number four before the squad heads to Portugal – Full story here.
- Rafa Benitez has opened up about his transfer plans with just 22 days of the window left to go, admitting that he is looking to sign ‘Premier League experience‘ and add competition to ‘three or four’ areas of his squad – Full story here.
- Rafa Benitez admits he was offered ‘a chance’ to take the Spanish national job for this summer’s World Cup, with the Times confirming that he also rejected their offer to take over on a full-time basis – Full story here.
- According to Merseyside reporter Oliver Bond, Newcastle are now pursuing a deal to sign Liverpool striker Divock Origi on a PERMANENT basis – Full story here.
- According to Sky Sports, Fulham are now pursuing a £10m deal to sign Kevin Mbabu – the former Newcastle United full-back who’s caught the eye in Switzerland since leaving St James’ Park last summer – Full story here.
- A Sunderland man has been found guilty of sending racial abuse to NUFC striker Ivan Toney – shocking behaviour that has seen him sentenced to 12 months community service, 120 hours of unpaid work and a £170 fine – Full story here.
- According to the Mirror, Rafa Benitez has been offered a new five-year deal by Mike Ashley this summer – however he’ll refuse to sign it until the club releases ‘significant’ money to spend on transfers and ‘invests in the youth academy’ – Full story here.
- According to Sky Sports’ Italian correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle have now expressed an interest in signing Roma forward Gregoire Defrel – and it’s claimed that he’s keen on a move to the Premier League – Full story here.
- And finally, click HERE to see the goals from NUFC’s 2-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic last night (Also view our player ratings here)
