Sports
Wijnaldum won’t be making move back to Magpies
Newcastle have reportedly been dealt a blow in their hopes to capture former Midfielder Gini Wijnaldum in January on a six-month loan deal to help bolster the Magpies chances of Premier League survival.
The Magpies were one of the Premier League clubs linked with Wijnaldum recently, but it seems the Netherlands international has decided against taking up the offer of a second spell at St James’ Park.
The 31-year-old left Liverpool at the end of last season and joined French giants PSG where he has failed to break into the first team due to the competition for places in Pochettino’s side.
Marco Verratti, Danilo Pereira, Leandro Parades, Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye all battle for a starting place in the middle of the park.
Wijnaldum has made his feelings clear about heading back to England, with Arsenal looking to accelerate their transfer pursuit of the Dutch veteran. A permanent move is not out of the equation, however, but it would cost any potential suitor in the region of £15million, according to Fichajes.
It will be interesting to see how this saga develops, as there may still be other clubs in the running to sign Wijnaldum, but Football Insider report that a move to Newcastle has been ruled out.
Wijnaldum said in October that he was “not completely happy” in Paris due to his lack of playing time.
He told Dutch news outlet NOS: “I can’t say I’m completely happy, because the situation is not what I wanted.
“But that’s football and I’ll have to learn to deal with that. I’m a fighter. I have to stay positive and work hard to turn it around.
Eddie Howe has been tipped to bring in a number of major reinforcements during the January transfer window and the former Magpies was a name that had been linked with the club by a number of well-respected news outlets.
The Saudi-led takeover of the club after 14-years under Mike Ashley’s stewardship means that Newcastle has become relevant once again in the transfer window as the club has a large amount of money at its disposal.
However, due to the current situation at the club who sit 19th in the Premier League, 2 points adrift of relegation have won just once in the first half of the campaign, the owners are struggling to get key deals over the line.
The Magpies have the joint-worst defensive record in the league, shipping 42 goals in their opening 19 fixtures and desperately need to improve things at the back if they are to retain their top-flight status come the end of the season.
Wijnaldum was just one name in a list of hundreds linked with the club and NUFC fans looked forward to see if a deal could be agreed to bring the Dutchman back to St James’ Park. He would have certainly improved the side both going forward and in defence.
Thoughts?
Are you surprised that Gini has turned down a move back to Tyneside? Who would you like to see become our second signing of the new era?
Join in the conversation and have your say…
Newcastle United boss wants to extend the contracts of two players before losing them.
Eddie Howe has expressed in a recent fan Q&A his intentions to keep two out of contract players this summer, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett, according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, with both players current contracts set to end this summer.
6 players are currently set to become out of contract come June 1st, Loris Karius, Paul Dummet, Mark Gillespie, Matt Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark. However, it is only Karius and Dummett that appear to be safe of getting the chop.
Loris Karius has spent this season as Newcastle United’s third choice keeper, with only one appearance coming in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite the loss, Karius did little wrong and contributed some wonderful saves late on in that game.
Paul Dummett has had the same treatment, with only one appearance coming his way, a Carabao Cup tie in the second round against Tranmere Rovers back in August. The 31-year-old Welshman is an experienced head and will no doubt have great respect within the dressing room having signed for the club back in 2012 making 205 appearances in that time.
Both players can expect new contracts from Eddie Howe as he has made it known that he wants them both to remain at the club next season.
Who would you want to remain at the club from the current out of contract list – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates –https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
10 players Eddie Howe could look towards with contracts expiring at the end of this season.
The free agent’s market is the absolute cheat code for clubs across the board, being able to avoid the rising transfer fees and getting players through the door through verbal agreements makes life much easier for clubs during the transfer window.
We have compiled a list of 10 free transfers NUFC could sign this summer from Europe’s top five leagues giving them a rating of the potential of them signing and the impact they would have.
- Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
The 29-year-old full back has his contract expiring this summer and with NUFC already being hinted at as his potential new club, this one is worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He would slot straight in at left-back to have healthy competition for fan favourite Dan Burn and add a burst of class and pace to that left hand side. The Portugal international already has an impressive CV and would be looking to show that off to the St. James faithful.
Potential – A
Impact – A
- Yerry Mina (Everton)
With Everton potentially facing the drop this season, a jump from Merseyside to Newcastle could suit the centre back to a T. The 28-year-old Columbian international would add to NUFC’s already in form back line and bring some South American heat as they look to progress further next season. Mina possesses dominance, aggression, and a great ariel threat and would be a top addition to the magpies this summer.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Jonathan Bamba (Lille)
An explosive winger who made his name known as Lille snatched the league title in 2021 in France, the 26-year-old is still yet to receive a contract extension from the club and could be looking elsewhere in the summer. Adding pace, flair, and drive to an already exciting front three for NUFC could be what fans need going into next season.
Potential – C
Impact – A
- Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Reportedly being close to leaving in the summer window of 2022, Youri Tielemans would be a fine addition to NUFC’s midfield being able to operate in a slightly deeper role to allow Bruno to push further up the field and do what he does best. The 25-year-old has his contract expiring this summer and with him and James Maddison already being linked to the club, this transfer seems to make so much more sense and would add heaps of quality to the centre of the field.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Drive, power, and flair are the 3 best words to describe Crystal Palace star man Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old could be looking to depart his beloved club in the hope for European football next season and NUFC could be just the place for him. Being able to operate either on the left or down the middle, Zaha would thrive under Eddie Howe and be a fantastic addition to the front line.
Potential – B
Impact – A
A Sunderland football player on loan to Lincoln FC has had his loan terminated after he was charged with rape.
Jack Diamond, 23, had been arrested after a sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, last year.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation, but have now charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Lincoln City FC said the player’s loan contract had been terminated “with immediate effect”.
His home club, Sunderland AFC, said he had been suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
In a statement, it said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.”
“As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time”.
The incident is alleged to have happened in May last year.
Mr Diamond, of Fatfield, also Washington, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.
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