Newcastle United could look to make an ambitious appointment if they decide to part company with Eddie Howe.
The Magpies have endured a hugely frustrating campaign in which they sit in 12th position in the Premier League with just six wins from 16 games so far this term.
The latest result was the most disappointing of all, losing 1-0 against fierce rivals Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light thanks to a Nick Woltemade own goal. That result — plus the approach that Howe took to setting up his team — led to plenty of criticism from supporters, with question marks starting to arise around Howe’s future at the club.
While pressure is starting to build around Howe’s position, reports have suggested that the English boss’s position is safe for now despite the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.
Newcastle’s hierarchy, including their new sporting director Ross Wilson, remain firmly behind Howe and have zero intention of relieving him of his duties at the moment.
Howe is seen as the ideal man to continue his work with Newcastle, however they could have a decision to make depending on who emerges as a potential candidate for the role.
One of the names potentially under consideration would be Xavi, according to the Mirror. The Spaniard is a Barcelona legend and has been out of work since leaving the club at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Xavi is someone who would provide real star power, not to mention having experience of succeeding with one of the biggest clubs in world football.
Hailed for being ‘one of the best in the world’, Xavi would bring an attractive, possession-based syle of play which would go down a treat at St James’ Park. One criticism of Howe has been the way the side has set up negatively in certain matches this term. I can’t see that being an issue under Xavi.
The lure of playing under the 45-year-old would undoubtedly be a major appeal for attracting top-tier players to the north-east. This has been a struggle with competition from Manchester, Liverpool and London, but the chance to play for a legendary name like Xavi could be a real game-changer.
Howe is very popular in Newcastle and will go down as a club favourite for what he’s achieved, but if a change is made, Newcastle will surely go for a big name.
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Arsenal have agreed a £17m deal with Besiktas to sell winger Leandro Trossard, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years by finishing seven points above Manchester City, while they also reached the Carabao Cup and Champions League finals.
Manchester United could sign a Premier League alternative to Mateus Fernandes after missing out on the Portuguese midfielder. The Red Devils are keen to find a replacement for Casemiro this summer, with two midfield signings desired in total, including the early-season signing of Ederson.
It has been a frustrating search from Michael Carrick and Co so far, with Tottenham beating them to West Ham star Fernandes, agreeing to pay £85million. United were said to be willing to pay a similar fee, but Spurs were willing to pay upfront and without any major add-ons, something the Red Devils were not willing to do.
That means the search goes on, and it appears United are not close to securing an alternative at this stage, even if there is a likely candidate.
According to the Daily Mail, United are not close to finding an alternative to Fernandes, now set to reassess their options after missing out. But it’s added the Red Devils are ‘known admirers’ of AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and they could turn to the England international.
Scott was a vital part of Bournemouth’s superb season of last that saw them qualify for the Europa League, and he almost won a World Cup call-up, serving as the main back-up during the pre-tournament training camp.
Scott is a very different midfielder from Casemiro, and while he is more similar to Fernandes, he arguably has a more attacking frame of mind. From that perspective, it would be a little surprising the Red Devils to go in that route, but Scott is a hard-working midfielder who can also do the dirty work.
Still only 22 years of age, the Cherries are said to be demanding £80million to sell Scott this summer, so it wouldn’t be much of a cheaper compromise from Fernandes for United.
Scott was praised repeatedly last season, and Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards said: “I love him. He’s got everything that a midfielder should have playing in the Premier League. I love his game. He takes a good set-piece but it’s his calmness on the ball. He can pass well and receive the ball between the lines.
“A lot of midfielders hide and don’t want the ball but he’s brave on it. He keeps it moving. Every time I watch him, he’s so confident on the ball.”
Alan Shearer added: “He’s having a brilliant season and standing out in every game. Superb.”
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Manchester United are exploring alternative midfielders after failing with a deal to sign Mateus Fernandes.
Rangers are looking to continue adding to their midfield even after winning the race to sign former Sunderland star Dan Neil, who found himself needing a new club after his contract came to an end. Neil secured back-to-back promotions after spending time on loan with Ipswich Town last season, and he now heads to Ibrox to work under Derek McInnes.
That deal followed a statement goalkeeper signing, with Ivor Pandur arriving from Hull City on a £6million deal, and Rangers are not done there. The Glasgow side know they need to improve the quality of their squad to catch up with Celtic – and perhaps even Hearts – and McInnes is being backed after his summer arrival from Edinburgh.
McInnes still wants more midfield strength even after signing Neil, and according to Rangers Review, Partizan Belgrade skipper Vanja Dragojevic is of interest. With Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande potentially heading out this summer, McInnes will feel he needs adequate depth in the middle.
The report claims 20-year-old Dragojevic is now an option, although a deal may not be easy to reach, given he only signed a new contract last season, theoretically keeping him in place until 2030.
Despite his youth, Dragojevic is Belgrade’s captain, and he is also a two-time Serbia international. Transfermarkt already have the defensive midfielder valued at £6.8million, and given his contract situation and age, the actual price could be more than that.
Rangers have already been busy this summer, snapping up Pandur, Neil Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey and Lawrence Shankland. Interestingly, rivals Celtic are yet to make a single signing this summer, although they have given Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a new contract. New boss McInnes clearly has a good idea of where his side need to be, and he should know having led Hearts within a whisker of the title last season. “A lot of the conversations were ongoing before I came in, but obviously getting things over the line isn’t easy,” McInnes told RTV this week.
“People think it is easy to get signings in, but when there are good players involved there’s more than one team involved, so I think the board and the recruitment team should be pleased with their work so far.
“Clearly there’s still more work to do, but we are pleased with the work we have got done and getting the boys in as early as possible for all the reasons I’ve just said is vitally important. Some signings will take a bit longer, which is just the way, but getting them in and familiarising themselves with the club and everybody else is important.”
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