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…
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.
DAN BARRED
Steve Bruce has told returned Rotherham loanee Dan Barlaser he’ll have to wait to get into the first team, because his hands are tied by the rules.
The Premier League will not allow players who have returned from loans in League One and League Two – where the season has been ended – to participate in Project Restart.
Ironically at 23, the midfielder is too old to be considered a youth player, but is essentially marooned with no football for the rest of the season because he’s not allowed to now play for his parent club.
Bruce told Chronicle Live: “Unfortunately because of the rules and his age it is not possible.
“He's done very well at Rotherham and the reports have been very good.
“We have had one or two clubs in the Championship who are interested in him, so he's done very well.”
GOOD MORNING TOON FANS
Steve Bruce says he’s “not really interested” in what’s happening with the Newcastle takeover – because he’s too worried about the team’s form.
The gaffer said: “If I'm being brutally honest I'm not really interested as I can't influence that.
“I'll probably hear when you do. What I want is what's best for the club. I have to focus on trying to end the season in good form.”
Indeed, Bruce says he is only focusing on securing a top 10 finish for Newcastle.
He said: “My job at the minute is to make sure that we are all focused on one thing – finishing the season off well, getting the season finished and making sure we are a Premier League club.
“Now we have been given an opportunity to say, 'can we finish in the top 10?' That would be a wonderful achievement. That is all I am focused on.”
Meanwhile, Andy Carroll is set to sign a new one-year Newcastle contract.
The Chronicle claims he has thrived during lockdown, impressing Steve Bruce with his fitness.
Bruce told them: “The break has got Andy right again. I shouldn't say that but it's the best I've seen him look. I hope that hasn't put a jinx on him.”
Finally, Newcastle’s potential Saudi Arabian owners are “supremely unconcerned” by a recent takeover bid from Henry Mauriss – with their takeover decision “close”.
Duncan Castles has revealed the Saudi Arabian party are not even remotely worried about the rumours and are believed to be “close” to completion.
Castles went as far as claiming the owners were “supremely unconcerned” by the fresh bid talk.
The Saudis are believed to be confident they won't be outbid and will continue with their takeover.
It was also revealed that indications from lawyers and from Newcastle themselves suggested a move was “close”.
Castles also claimed current owner Mike Ashley will SUE the Premier League should they block the potential takeover of the club he's clearly now eager to sell.
NEW TOON
Steve Bruce believes Jack Colback and Jamie Sterry will both find new clubs this summer.
He said: “I feel for Jack a little bit and I wish him the best of luck.
“He's gone through a tough time.
“He took a horrible injury which he's over, I hope he gets on with his career, and Jamie, and they find a career for themselves.
“They are good pros and I wish them well.”
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