Newcastle takeover news LIVE: Bin Salman buy-out gets government backing, Carroll and Manquillo new deals – The Sun
NEWCASTLE UNITED fans are still waiting to see whether their mooted £300m takeover by a Amanda Staveley-led Saudi Arabian consortium will go through.
And they have received a big boost with International Trade Secretary Liz Truss saying the government will not block the deal.
Follow ALL of the latest updates right here…
GOOD MORNING TOON FANS,
Trade secretary Liz Truss has reportedly told a fellow MP that the UK government will not block Newcastle's £300million Saudi takeover.
Earlier this month, sixteen politicians wrote a letter to the Boris Johnson's cabinet expressing their concern at the possibility of sportswashing by the Gulf state.
But the Daily Mail claim Truss has told Angus MacNeil, the chair of the International Trade Select Committee, that the deal is to be decided by the Premier League.
The report says she wrote a letter which stated that “a commercial matter for those parties and the Premier League. It is not for the government to intervene in the buying and selling of football clubs.”
But more pressingly, Steve Bruce has stated that it is up to Matty Longstaff if he signs a new deal with Newcastle with his deal set to expire on July 31.
He said: “It’s the same as we are.
“Now, the ball is certainly in young Matty’s hands.
“I’ve gone public with it – I think we’ve made him a wonderful offer, and for me, that should be his way forward in his career.
“I’ve said it many times that being a Newcastle lad, and having had the season he’s just had, now it’s his way forward.
“Of course, we would all love him to stay, but as young as he is, the players now, it’s their prerogative if they want to run down their contract, then there’s nothing much more we can do as a club.
“We’ve done everything we possibly can, the rest is now up to Matty, for him to decide.”
LONG ROAD AHEAD
Steve Bruce has stated that it is up to Matty Longstaff if he signs a new deal with Newcastle with his deal set to expire on July 31.
He said: “It’s the same as we are.
“Now, the ball is certainly in young Matty’s hands.
“I’ve gone public with it – I think we’ve made him a wonderful offer, and for me, that should be his way forward in his career
“I’ve said it many times that being a Newcastle lad, and having had the season he’s just had, now it’s his way forward.
“Of course, we would all love him to stay, but as young as he is, the players now, it’s their prerogative if they want to run down their contract, then there’s nothing much more we can do as a club.
“We’ve done everything we possibly can, the rest is now up to Matty, for him to decide.”
KOUL STORY BRO
Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly set to join Manchester City in a £72million deal this summer.
The Napoli defender had attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Newcastle were also hoping to convince him to join them ahead of their proposed takeover.
But according to Italian source II Mattino, he is set to chose Man City as he wants to play under Pep Guardiola.
BAK FOR MORE
Newcastle have reportedly set their sights on signing Tiemoue Bakayoko from Chelsea this summer.
French website Le10Sport revealed the Toon are chasing the 25-year-old.
But West Ham and Watford are also keeping a close eye on the Frenchman.
After failing to impress at Stamford Bridge, he has been shipped out on loan to Monaco this season.
STAT ATTACK
Here's how rich the club could be if the takeover goes through…
TOON SOON?
Steve Bruce has addressed the speculation surrounding Matty Longstaff's contract.
He said: “The ball is in young Matty's hands and we have made him a wonderful offer and, for me, this should be the way forward for him.
“We all would love him to stay but it is the player's prerogative.
“We have done everything we can.”
GOOD MORNING TOON FANS
Trade secretary Liz Truss has reportedly told a fellow MP that the UK government will not block Newcastle's £300million Saudi takeover.
Earlier this month, sixteen politicians wrote a letter to the Boris Johnson's cabinet expressing their concern at the possibility of sportswashing by the Gulf state.
But the Daily Mail claim Truss has told Angus MacNeil, the chair of the International Trade Select Committee, that the deal is to be decided by the Premier League.
The report says she wrote a letter which stated that “a commercial matter for those parties and the Premier League. It is not for the government to intervene in the buying and selling of football clubs.”
Newcastle are already set to make their first signing of the summer with Motherwell goalkeeper Mark Gillespie poised to join on a free.
The 28-year-old, who is from Tyneside, is out of contract in a week's time and has racked up 272 appearances in the SPL as well as Leagues One and Two.
Steve Bruce has been told to target free transfers as the current Toon regime make calls on acquiring players.
While Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo have agreed new contracts with United.
ON KOP OF THE WORLD
Liverpool are finally Premier League champions, ending a 30-year title drought to reclaim their place at the top of English football.
Three decades in the making, the Reds have finally made it past the final hurdle after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Chelsea tonight.
After hammering Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday, Jurgen Klopp just needed Pep Guardiola and Co to drop points at Stamford Bridge.
Former Liverpool target Christian Pulisic – who played under Klopp at Dortmund – got Chelsea off to a flier with a superb breakaway goal.
Kevin De Bruyne's stunning free-kick pegged the Blues back but Willian fired home a penalty to earn a huge three points and send Liverpool fans wild.
And now, with seven games remaining, the Kop faithful can finally breathe easy after months of stress with the season on the brink of being cancelled during the enforced break.
Klopp will now go down in Anfield folklore after guided Liverpool to that elusive Premier League crown – 11,016 DAYS in the making.
PRO-LONG HIS STAY
Newcastle have confirmed Matty Longstaff has signed a short-term contract extension that will play the remainder of the season at the club.
The midfielder's long-term future remains unclear, with Italian club Udinese reportedly offering him a lucrative contract to lure him away from Tyneside.
TAKING OVER THE TOON
Trade secretary Liz Truss has reportedly told a fellow MP that the UK government will not block Newcastle's £300million Saudi takeover.
Earlier this month, sixteen politicians wrote a letter to the Boris Johnson's cabinet expressing their concern at the possibility of sportswashing by the Gulf state.
But the Daily Mail claim Truss has told Angus MacNeil, the chair of the International Trade Select Committee, that the deal is to be decided by the Premier League.
The report says she wrote a letter which stated that “a commercial matter for those parties and the Premier League. It is not for the government to intervene in the buying and selling of football clubs.”
DWIGHT IDEA
Dwight Gayle believes Newcastle United should have prevented Aston Villa from grabbing a point in their 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
He told NUFC TV (via ChronicleLive): “We know what they bring to the table on set-plays but obviously they have a great delivery. It was miscommunication because he sneaked in at the front post.
“We should do better. But as I say we got a point and we have to move on to Sunday.”
GRAB HIM BY THE GILLS
Newcastle are set to make their first signing of the summer with Motherwell goalkeeper Mark Gillespie poised to join on a free.
The 28-year-old, who is from Tyneside, is out of contract in a week's time and has racked up 272 appearances in the SPL as well as Leagues One and Two.
Steve Bruce has been told to target free transfers as the current Toon regime make calls on acquiring players.
BRUCEY: PRICE IS RIGHT
Speaking of the new deals for Carroll and Manquillo, Steve Bruce said: “I'm really pleased that we have been able to put these extensions in place and I'd like to thank the players for committing themselves to the club with some very important games left to play.
“We have been proactive in trying to reach these agreements and they will give us the best chance of finishing the season as strongly as possible.
“I'm delighted Javier Manquillo and Andy Carroll have extended their contracts longer term.
“They have both made important contributions this season and I'm really pleased we can continue to call on them beyond the summer.”
CAROL'S SINGING
Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo have agreed new contracts with United.
The English striker has put pen to paper on a one-year extension.
Meanwhile Manquillo has signed a four-year deal.
AGENTS RAKE IT IN
Premier League clubs paid out a whopping £263million on agent fees during 2019/20.
Newcastle paid out roughly £9m in agents' fees – the 12th-most in the top flight – while Liverpool top the pile with over £30m spent.
GOV WON'T STEP IN
The government will NOT block the bid to take over Newcastle, according to reports.
According to the Mail, trade secretary Liz Truss has replied to a letter from Scottish MP Angus MacNeil, claiming the government will not step in.
Truss reportedly wrote that the deal is “a commercial matter for those parties and the Premier League… it is not for the government to intervene in the buying and selling of football clubs.”
GOOD MORNING TOON FANS
The Newcastle United Supporters Trust have written to the Premier League to urge them to back the takeover, claiming a whopping 97 per cent of fans BACK the bid.
A letter to members states: “Legal Counsel instructed by NUST has now written to the Premier League in support of the prospective takeover.
“We have seen a number of attempts to discredit this takeover and Newcastle fans during the extended period in which the Premier League has been considering the takeover in the context of its Owners and Directors test.
“In light of our member survey which showed 97% of NUST members are in favour of the takeover, we took the decision to engage Counsel to stand up for our members and express the view that our members overwhelmingly support the takeover.
“The letter, sent to Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, also sets out legal analysis that counters the opposition to the PIF’s involvement in the proposed takeover of NUFC that has been communicated to the Premier League by other parties.”
On the pitch, the Magpies were held to a score draw with their relegation-threatened visitors despite taking the lead through Dwight Gayle.
The England striker combined with fellow substitute Andy Carroll to open up the Villa defence midway through the second half.
But Villa hit back late on when Ahmed Elmohamady converted Connor Hourihane's corner to deny Newcastle back-to-back wins.
And Steve Bruce said “It's the first goal we have conceded at home in five games.
“If somebody had said we'd get four points from the first two games in these awful times I'd have accepted it
“But we are disappointed.”
'DISAPPOINTED'
Steve Bruce attempted to remain upbeat after Newcastle's late collapse to Aston Villa but admitted feeling disappointed.
After the game the Toon boss said: “It's the first goal we have conceded at home in five games.
“If somebody had said we'd get four points from the first two games in these awful times I'd have accepted it
“But we are disappointed.”
FT: NEWCASTLE 1-1 ASTON VILLA
The Magpies were held to a score draw with their relegation-threatened visitors despite taking the lead through Dwight Gayle.
The England striker combined with fellow substitute Andy Carroll to open up the Villa defence midway through the second half.
But Villa hit back late on when Ahmed Elmohamady converted Connor Hourihane's corner to deny Newcastle back-to-back wins.
AVERAGE JOE
Chris Sutton believes Joelinton will be one of the first casualties of Newcastle's £300million Saudi-takeover.
The Brazilian striker netted just his second Premier League goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday.
And Sutton told the BBC: “I still don’t think it is going to happen for Joelinton
“He scored one in four in Germany, he did a similar sort of ratio in Austria and then had one good season at Hoffenheim.
“The money has been a massive burden for him. Steve Bruce has given him a kick as well, saying he isn’t a natural finisher.
“It doesn’t help when your manager is putting the boot in.
“I don’t see him having a long-term future at Newcastle. If there’s a takeover, I think he will be surplus to requirements.”
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Our SunSport coverage will also include updates from Norwich's must-win clash against Everton and Wolves' clash with Bournemouth.
TEAM NEWS
Steve Bruce has named an unchanged side for tonight's clash against Aston Villa…
FIXTURE AMENDMENT
Newcastle's game against West Ham has been moved to 2.15pm on July 5.
This is so that it can be broadcast on Sky Sports.
IT'S A MUST FOR NUST
The Newcastle United Supporters Trust have written to the Premier League to urge them to back the takeover, claiming a whopping 97 per cent of fans BACK the bid.
A letter to members states: “Legal Counsel instructed by NUST has now written to the Premier League in support of the prospective takeover.
“We have seen a number of attempts to discredit this takeover and Newcastle fans during the extended period in which the Premier League has been considering the takeover in the context of its Owners and Directors test.
“In light of our member survey which showed 97% of NUST members are in favour of the takeover, we took the decision to engage Counsel to stand up for our members and express the view that our members overwhelmingly support the takeover.
“The letter, sent to Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, also sets out legal analysis that counters the opposition to the PIF’s involvement in the proposed takeover of NUFC that has been communicated to the Premier League by other parties.”
MUTTON NOT CHOPPED
Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is set to sign a new one-year contract extension at St James' Park with his current deal due to expire at the end of the month.
The 31-year-old rejoined his boyhood club last summer on a free transfer after leaving West Ham – eight years after departing the Magpies for Liverpool in 2011.
Carroll has played second fiddle to Brazilian striker Joelinton this term, while he has also missed eight games with a hip injury.
This has limited the towering centre-forward to just 15 matches in all competitions, with the England international still waiting his first goal of the campaign.
Though he has impressed boss Steve Bruce off the bench, with Carroll chipping in with four assists in the Premier League.
According to Chronicle Live, Carroll has already signed a short-term deal to tie him down until the end of the season.
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