Newcastle £300m Saudi takeover imminent, Steve Bruce ‘faces axe’ ahead of January transfer splurge – latest news

SARD DEAL

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Zenit Saint-Petersburg star Sardar Azmoun as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.

Lacazette’s contract is coming to an end and the Gunners reckon Azmoun can fill his boots, according to Sports Witness.

The Iranian 19-year-old striker has already scored six times in 12 games this season for Zenit, so he’ll bring plenty of firepower to The Emirates.

However, the North London side face stiff competition from Italian clubs AC Milan and Roma, who Witness claim are also interested in Azmoun.

PREM ACE BAILED

Brighton ace Yves Bissouma has been bailed after being arrested and marched out of a nightclub in the early hours of yesterday.

The in-form Brighton midfielder, 25, spent the day in custody after being arrested in the city.

Shocked revellers told how they saw Premier League ace Bissouma being marched out of a packed nightclub in handcuffs by police officers.

Sussex Police today confirmed a man in his 20s and a man in his 40s had been released after the arrest on October 6.

A spokesperson said: “A man in his 40s and a man in his 20s, both from Brighton, were arrested and have been released on conditional bail until November 3 while enquiries continue.”

RAM OUT

Aaron Ramsey will reportedly be put on the transfer list by Juventus in Jauary due to his whopping wages.

The Welsh midfielder has cost the Serie A giants a staggering £4,000 per minute since he arrived from Arsenal in 2019, which has risen to just over £11,000 this season, according to Calciomercato.

Calciomercato also claim the eye-watering amount Juve have to pay the 30-year-old ex-Gunner every sixty seconds works out to be a yearly sum of £6.8million.

And Massimiliano Allegri’s side aren’t willing to continue forking out such a hefty figure to a player who’s only racked up a meagre 68 appearances in all competitions since his arrival.

Ramsey hasn’t fared much better this season, making just two Serie A starts and one in the Champions League for the Bianconeri.

Ramsey still has two years on his contract with Juve, and they’re even willing to let him go for free to balance the books.

MO WAY

PSG are considering a shock bid for Liverpool ace Mo Salah, according to reports.

The French giants are reportedly prepared to reignite their summer interest and land the Egyptian as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

The Egyptian is out of contract in 2023 and is reportedly demanding up to £380,000-a-week to extend his Anfield stay.

Salah, 29, is looking for wages that would make him the Reds’ highest earner.

But PSG are ready to swoop and take him to Paris if Mbappe leaves, according to Fabrizio Romano.

He told Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel: “From what I am told, PSG were studying the possibility of recruiting Salah early in the summer, in June, if Mbappe was sold to Real Madrid.

“They were prepared to do something big, and they wanted to try it out with Salah.”

SACK RACE

Steve Bruce’s tenure as Newcastle manager is drawing towards a conclusion.

That’s according to Sky Bet, who’ve made Bruce odds-on favourite to be the second Premier League manager sent packing this season.

The Toon boss was available at 3/1 at the beginning of the week.

But that price has crashed to odds-on 1/3 as the club’s long-awaited Saudi takeover inches towards completion.

A long-standing row over TV piracy has been resolved, bringing an end to 18 months of deadlock after Mike Ashley initially agreed to sell in April 2020.

The Saudi-led consortium will have an 80 per cent controlling stake and with Ashley out of the picture – Bruce could be the first casualty of a new era on Tyneside.

AUR WRONG

Serge Aurier would NEVER sign for Arsenal because he has ‘too much respect’ for his former club Spurs.

The Ivory Coast right-back joined LaLiga side Villarreal this week, having been a free agent since terminating his Tottenham deal by mutual consent.

He wrote on Instagram: “I have never seen myself at another club in England!

“I didn’t see myself joining the enemy because I have too much respect for our club, for our history and for all our moments shared together.”

Aurier was linked with a move across North London but instead opted to reunite with Unai Emery after working with the former Gunners boss at Paris Saint-Germain. 

SAUDI STING

Amnesty International demanded the Premier League “overhaul their standards” regarding human rights after the Saudi takeover of Newcastle.

The £300million leaves the Saudi Public Investment Fund, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, owning 80 per cent of the Magpies.

Bin Salman has been implicated in approving the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Human rights organisation Amnesty international stated the deal was an attempt to “sportswash their appalling human rights record with the glamour of top-flight football.”

And CEO Sacha Deshmukh said: “Instead of allowing those implicated in serious human rights violations to walk into English football simply because they have deep pockets, we’ve urged the Premier League to change their owners’ and directors’ test to address human rights issues.

“The phrase ‘human rights’ doesn’t even appear in the owners’ and directors’ test despite English football supposedly adhering to Fifa standards.

“As with Formula One, elite boxing, golf or tennis, an association with top-tier football is a very attractive means of rebranding a country or person with a tarnished reputation.

“The Premier League needs to better understand the dynamic of sportswashing and tighten its ownership rules.”

STER IT UP

Raheem Sterling will reject any bids to sign England star Raheem Sterling in January.

And the champions remain focused on persuading the 26-year-old to sign a new deal.

Sterling has less than two years on his contract and talks over a fresh one are on hold.

That has put a big question mark over his long-term future at City, where he has been for six years.

SunSport reported on Tuesday that Barcelona are monitoring the situation and could make a cheeky loan bid in the new year.

The hard-up Catalan giants know Sterling has expressed an interest in playing in Spain at some point in his career and hope that could tip the balance in their favour.

Anything they come up with will be knocked back by City though.

TABLE TOPPERS

Newcastle will have the wealthiest owners in world football by some distance once their £300million takeover finally goes through.

The Toon are on the brink of being in the hands of a Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund worth a staggering £320BILLION after the Gulf state’s piracy row with neighbours Qatar finally ended.

Providing the deal is structured similarly to the original offer, Yasir Al-Rumayyan – a close associate of Saudi royalty Mohammed bin Salman – will become new chairman, with his powerful friend also backing the Magpies’ takeover.

Following the deal’s completion, the Saudi consortium are expected to own 80 per cent of the club – with Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers evenly splitting the remaining 20 per cent.

And just to highlight just how much money will be poured into Newcastle, SunSport have compared them against the richest football club owners across the globe.

WIL TO JOIN

Newcastle hope to poach Manchester City’s academy director Jason Wilcox after their Saudi takeover is complete, according to reports.

Managing director Lee Charnley is also expected to be one of the first casualties of the new regime.

Wilcox, 50, enjoyed a successful playing career – winning the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers as well as spells at Leeds and Leicester.

He also won three England caps under Terry Venables. The Englishman was made City’s academy director in 2017.

And he has become a vital part of their youth development programme since.

But the Etihad outfit face losing him, according to the Telegraph, which would come as a huge blow.

BRU WHAT?

Steve Bruce’s job at Newcastle is reportedly hanging by a thread, amid the news that the club’s Saudi takeover is set to go ahead.

Following the Saudi government’s decision to lift its ban on Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports, the controversial takeover is expected to be completed imminently.

Fans are already dreaming of big-money star signings like Kylian Mbappe.

But they also wish Bruce would leave the club with it revealed this week that 94 per cent of Newcastle Supporters Trust members want him gone.

And they could now get their wish.

Eddie Howe, Graeme Jones and Chris Wilder are among the favourites to get the job if Bruce is to go – but they are joined by a host of other more glamorous names.

Click HERE for more.

ALL ABOARD

Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin has responded to news of the club’s controversial Saudi takeover on Twitter.

The £300million deal is back ON after the Saudi government resolved their dispute with Qatari broadcaster BeINSports.

Fans have been dreaming of completing several big money signings to gain a place among the Premier League’s elite.

And it appears they aren’t the only ones.

Saint-Maximin, 24, didn’t specifically reference the takeover.

But with social media awash with reports of the deal’s imminent status, he posted a video featuring a man saying ‘good morning’ before laughing hysterically.

TIM’S UP

Timo Werner admits he’s ‘not satisfied’ at Chelsea – but denies he’s angling for a transfer away.

His form as well as a change of agent has seen him linked with a move away from Chelsea.

He told express.de: “The last few weeks have been difficult at Chelsea.

“After many years, I was suddenly a little behind and had to fight my way again.

“A career always goes up and down, never steadily upwards. But you learn to deal with it.

“I have to bite into it again, that challenges me. Of course, I would like to enjoy more minutes, so I give my best in training.”

COR BLIMEY

Wolves winger Francisco Trincao has tested positive for Covid-19 and is in danger of missing his side’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday week.

The 21-year-old summer signing from Barcelona is self-isolating after he tested positive, ahead of Portugal’s double-header against Qatar and Luxembourg.

Trincao was a late call-up to the Portuguese squad after Benfica’s Rafa Silva pulled out.

However his hopes of adding to his seven caps were wrecked when he returned a positive rapid test on arrival at the Portuguese base – followed by a positive PCR test.

ON THE PAUL

Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly been mulling over a new deal at Old Trafford since July.

The French midfielder is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and is free to talk to foreign clubs in January.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Paul Pogba has a contract extension proposal on the table from Manchester United since last July.

“Long-term new deal and increased salary.

“But there’s NO final answer yet from Pogba side and his agent Raiola. Man Utd are waiting for his decision – pushing for months.”

HISTORY MAKER

England will have a woman refereeing their game for the first time EVER against Andorra.

Kateryna Monzul will be in charge for the Three Lions’ World Cup Qualifier against the Euro minnows.

The 40-year-old Ukrainian took charge of her first international match in September 2005.

Monzul became the first referee to take charge of a Ukrainian top-flight game in 2016.

And in November 2020 she officiated in the Uefa Nations League clash between San Marino and Gibraltar.

Monzul was part of an all-female officiating team which made history by taking charge of the senior men’s international.

She will have fellow Ukrainian women Maryna Striletska and Svitlana Grushko running the lines.

And the video assistant ref will be Stephanie Frappart from France.

EZE DOES IT

EXCLUSIVE – Ebere Eze is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an Achilles injury.

There were initial fears the Crystal Palace star, 23, would be out until the new year after sustaining the problem in training at the back end of last season.

But he is back running and doing ball work already – as he revealed himself in an online clip on Tuesday to the delight of fans.

That is earlier than the club expected and now there is an outside chance he could even return to action next month.

The Eagles will understandably be cautious with the attacking midfielder though and will look to integrate him slowly back into the first-team squad.

WHAT A TOON

Newcastle’s controversial Saudi takeover is back ON after the country’s government resolved its dispute with Qatari broadcaster BeINSports.

Amid news that the £300million deal is set to go through, Toon fans are already dreaming of what their star-studded team could look like after investment from what would be the world’s richest owners.

Fans have long yearned for a competitive team at St James’ Park. And they could finally get their wish.

A host of top managers have been linked with the post by bookies, including the likes of Antonio Conte and Frank Lampard.

And fans have even dreamed of signing Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Just for fun, let’s take a look at how the Magpies could look next season after phase one of their Saudi-led backing.

RO-ING BACK

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has returned to London for the first time in three years.

The 54-year-old’s entrepreneurial visa expired in April 2018, but having obtained an Israeli passport later that year, the oligarch has been able to get back to visit his family.

The UK government made it harder for powerful Russians to obtain visas after the Salisbury poisoning incident in 2018.

And the stance affected Abramovich’s ability to gain entry to the UK.

But having obtained an Israeli passport the billionaire has been able to make his first trip to the UK in three years without the need for a visa.

Abramovich’s spokesperson confirmed the Chelsea owner is in the UK to see relatives, according to the Independent.

And he could reportedly visit his beloved Blues while in the capital.

UNITED FRONT

Man Utd are interested in signing Stoke City wonderkid Emre Tezgel, according to reports.

Tezgel, 16, has enjoyed a rapid rise through the Stoke academy and he is very well regarded at the club.

As a 15-year-old he featured regularly for the under-18s side last season before training with the under-23s over the summer.

And his form at club and international youth level has drawn attention from United, as well as Chelsea and Manchester City – with all three sides tracking the youngster according to the Daily Mail.

Tezgel is part of England’s under-17s team and helped his side reach the final of the Syrenka Cup in Poland last month, scoring four goals in three games along the way.

He was named player of the tournament – an honour previously bestowed onto England star and Chelsea transfer target Jude Bellingham.

JEERS MATE

Gianluigi Donnarumma was booed by Italy supporters during their 2-1 Nations League defeat to Spain.

The 6ft 5in goalkeeper was making his first return to San Siro since running down his AC Milan contract and ditching them for Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.

Italy boss Roberto Mancini was fuming with their actions.

The former Man City chief said: “It certainly won’t have pleased him, just as it did not please us. Gigio did well.

“Donnarumma played for Italy and it was not a club game.

“This situation could have been put aside for one night and [he could have been] whistled [at] in a possible PSG vs Milan [match]. Italy are Italy and come above all else.”

RACISM SHAME

EXCLUSIVE – Reports of racism in English football are up by more than 50 PER CENT this season.

And Kick It Out chief executive Tony Burnett claims there is a “nasty underbelly” in grounds.

The anti-racism charity has received “just over 50 per cent” more cases compared to when stadia were last full in the pre-pandemic 2019-20 season.

The news comes after Simon Silwood became the first fan to be jailed over online abuse of a player, West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers.

Burnett said: “What we’re seeing is a massive increase in reports of incidents at grounds. There’s a nasty underbelly at the minute in terms of behaviour.

“People think it’s OK to share views that 20 years ago were just seen as abhorrent. Some of the language that people are using in grounds we thought went out years ago.

“Our discrimination cases are up just over 50 per cent this season. In the professional game, most of what we get reported is at grounds.”

VIN SOME LOSE SOME

Carlos Vinicius says Tottenham did want to sign him before his summer return to Benfica – but a deal fell through.

The striker joined Spurs on loan in October 2020 with a view to a permanent move.

When asked by Zero Zero if he felt they wanted to sign him, he said: “Yes, at times Tottenham wanted to, but they ended up not being able to.

“Regarding [Harry] Kane, no comment is needed. He is a great striker. For me he’s among the top three strikers today.

“I’m glad I learned so much even though I was his substitute. In that situation, you only have two options: either let go or learn. And in the minutes they give you, prove your worth.

“That’s the one I chose. I took advantage, gave my best, proved my worth and I believe the Tottenham staff, including the fans, liked it.”

WIZARD OF OZ

EXCLUSIVE – Mesut Ozil is fulfilling his mother’s deep demand to use his football skills to help others.

The ex-Arsenal star says he will give British South Asian players a platform to shine after launching the Football for Peace Mesut Ozil Centre in Bradford.

Less than 0.25 per cent of players across the English leagues are from a South Asian background, despite making up around eight per cent of the population.

Ozil, 32, is a third-generation Turkish-German and now plays for Fenerbahce.

He was not at Wednesday’s launch but his agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, said: “Mesut is so happy to be supporting such a unique project.

“When he was at Arsenal, he had a letter on the wall of his London home from his mother. It said, ‘Mesut my son, God has given you a talent in life.

“He didn’t give it just for you, you needs to share it. And if you don’t do this, you are not my son.’”

GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS

After a world record 37 games unbeaten, Italy have finally tasted defeat for the first on home soil this century in a 2-1 loss to Spain. 

The damage was done in the first half when Ferran Torres converted two delicious Mikel Oyarzabal crosses either side of Leonardo Bonucci’s red card. 

Spain controlled the second period yet a late Lorenzo Pellegrini goal set up a grandstand finish. La Roja held on though, and will now face the winners of Belgium against France in Sunday’s final of the Nations League.

Meanwhile, Italy star Georgio Chiellini revealed he’s ashamed of Napoli fans who racially abused Fiorentina players when the sides met last week.

Chiellini said hearing the abhorrent chants disgusted him and he demanded action was taken as racist fans don’t reflect the image of his native country.

He said, reported by JOE: “We need laws and rules that are applied.

“I was ashamed, as an Italian and a Tuscan, also because Italy is not a racist country for me.”

Elsewhere, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he has no ill feelings towards Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger who ended his Champions League final early in May.

Rudiger forced De Bruyne off the pitch when he clattered into him, giving the Belgian concussion.

But after looking back at the game, De Bruyne reckons Rudiger didn’t mean any harm and was just trying to block him getting the ball.

And finally, Kylian Mbappe’s mum denies claims that her son is at loggerheads with Paris Saint-Germain over his demands to leave the club.

Infact, she claims that Mbappe is holding progressive talks with PSG about signing a new contract.

And even if he doesn’t commit his future to the club, Mbappe’s mother is adamant he’s dedicated to bringing the Champions League trophy to Paris before his potential exit.