PauloGeordio Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 7 minutes ago, HayDen Traces said: Can anyone post Hope's article ? NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Inside NUFC's major scouting summit that will be crucial to snapping up future stars, Callum Wilson sets injury return target and how new PIF sponsor will impact PSR spending By CRAIG HOPE Newcastle are starting to put plans in place for their future transfer business Newcastle’s scouting network will descend on Tyneside this weekend for a key summit in which Paul Mitchell will give a presentation, Confidential can reveal. The sporting director is set to meet with his talent-spotters at a Quayside hotel on Friday night before they all attend Saturday’s home match versus Bournemouth. In the past, scouts have been given a task to perform during the game, such as providing a report on an opposition player. Mitchell is set to outline the club’s current position with regards recruitment and discuss the profile of players they want to bring in, from Under 14 to the senior team. He will be joined by senior recruitment staff Andy Howe and Steve Nickson. The scouting contingent – strengthened since Mitchell’s summer arrival - will then enjoy dinner at a Quayside restaurant before another meeting on Sunday morning. The get-together is of huge strategic importance in terms of Mitchell getting across his ideas as the new club chief. However, there is a slight irony in this gathering of recruitment minds during a month in which sources continue to insist the club are very unlikely to buy any players. Mitchell did show Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia around the training ground this month. He will join from Dinamo Tbilisi on his 18th birthday in August and was a player identified by Mitchell and recruitment staff. The expectation is that a European partner club will have been identified for Salia to join immediately on loan ahead of next season. Players of similar profile are likely to be discussed this weekend, given the club’s need to identify talent early in a bid to beat PSR. Newcastle's sporting director Paul Mitchell (centre) is set to give a presentation this weekend laying out the club's transfer plans Eddie Howe's side had a quiet summer window and are yet to sign anyone in January CAL CUP TARGET Callum Wilson is targeting a return to action for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at home to Arsenal. The striker is said to have made good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and being back for the visit of the Gunners on February 5 is a motivation. Wilson suffered the injury during the 4-2 defeat at Brentford in December and was ruled out for two months. He spent a short period away from the club given the mental impact of the setback, but sources say the 32-year-old has returned with a drive to make a difference in the second half of the season. It is hoped that lessons have been learnt from his last comeback when he made three substitute appearances in a week. Wilson staying fit can be of huge benefit to the team and Alexander Isak, who has carried the load superbly in his team-mate’s absence. But were Eddie Howe to have scope to rotate, it would help protect the Swede against injury and fatigue. Don’t bet against Wilson scoring some important goals in the next few months. Callum Wilson is hoping to return at the start of next month after injuring his hamstring in December PIF PAY THEIR WAY! Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund WILL pay for new advertising around St James’ Park, unlike former owner Mike Ashley and his retail branding. This week saw the first LED boards carrying PIF’s name flash up during a game - ‘PIF, Invested in Better’. And Confidential can confirm that the club’s majority owners will pay for that privilege, contributing to revenue streams and PSR calculations. The sum is sure to be looked at by the Premier League given their rules on ‘Related Party Transactions’, but Newcastle’s valuation of Saudi-related sponsors has, so far, always fallen well within fair market value. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is set to pay for advertising around St James' Park KUB-NO! Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign Japan winger Takefusa Kubo - but will not be pursuing a move. The Magpies were approached and made aware of Kubo’s £50million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract. While there is respect for a player who was briefly a team-mate of Alexander Isak and has scored six times this season, the finances of the deal make it a non-starter. The 23-year-old would appear keen on a move to the Premier League and the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have both been credited with an interest in recent months. A right winger remains one of Newcastle’s primary targets heading into the summer. Miguel Almiron is set to join Atlanta United in a £10m deal, but it’s unlikely a replacement will arrive this month. Newcastle have decided not to pursue a move for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo Kubo will not replace Miguel Almiron, who is expected to rejoin his former club Atlanta United WHEN WILL THE KING RETURN? Newcastle’s hopes of bringing Kevin Keegan back to St James’ Park in some capacity appeared to move a step closer this week. Confidential understands that senior commercial staff were due to spend some time with the club legend. Keegan has not been to a home game since leaving as manager under Mike Ashley’s ownership in 2008. Privately, he says he will only return when the club have won a trophy - and with Newcastle still in the mix on all three domestic fronts, that could be sooner than we think. Wor Flags wanted to bring Keegan back for the home game versus Liverpool last month, when they had planned a special display. That did not happen for various reasons and it would appear the club are making their own moves to charm the former player and manager, who retains huge affection among the fanbase. That's most of it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HayDen Traces Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 5 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said: NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Inside NUFC's major scouting summit that will be crucial to snapping up future stars, Callum Wilson sets injury return target and how new PIF sponsor will impact PSR spending By CRAIG HOPE Newcastle are starting to put plans in place for their future transfer business Newcastle’s scouting network will descend on Tyneside this weekend for a key summit in which Paul Mitchell will give a presentation, Confidential can reveal. The sporting director is set to meet with his talent-spotters at a Quayside hotel on Friday night before they all attend Saturday’s home match versus Bournemouth. In the past, scouts have been given a task to perform during the game, such as providing a report on an opposition player. Mitchell is set to outline the club’s current position with regards recruitment and discuss the profile of players they want to bring in, from Under 14 to the senior team. He will be joined by senior recruitment staff Andy Howe and Steve Nickson. The scouting contingent – strengthened since Mitchell’s summer arrival - will then enjoy dinner at a Quayside restaurant before another meeting on Sunday morning. The get-together is of huge strategic importance in terms of Mitchell getting across his ideas as the new club chief. However, there is a slight irony in this gathering of recruitment minds during a month in which sources continue to insist the club are very unlikely to buy any players. Mitchell did show Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia around the training ground this month. He will join from Dinamo Tbilisi on his 18th birthday in August and was a player identified by Mitchell and recruitment staff. The expectation is that a European partner club will have been identified for Salia to join immediately on loan ahead of next season. Players of similar profile are likely to be discussed this weekend, given the club’s need to identify talent early in a bid to beat PSR. Newcastle's sporting director Paul Mitchell (centre) is set to give a presentation this weekend laying out the club's transfer plans Eddie Howe's side had a quiet summer window and are yet to sign anyone in January CAL CUP TARGET Callum Wilson is targeting a return to action for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at home to Arsenal. The striker is said to have made good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and being back for the visit of the Gunners on February 5 is a motivation. Wilson suffered the injury during the 4-2 defeat at Brentford in December and was ruled out for two months. He spent a short period away from the club given the mental impact of the setback, but sources say the 32-year-old has returned with a drive to make a difference in the second half of the season. It is hoped that lessons have been learnt from his last comeback when he made three substitute appearances in a week. Wilson staying fit can be of huge benefit to the team and Alexander Isak, who has carried the load superbly in his team-mate’s absence. But were Eddie Howe to have scope to rotate, it would help protect the Swede against injury and fatigue. Don’t bet against Wilson scoring some important goals in the next few months. Callum Wilson is hoping to return at the start of next month after injuring his hamstring in December PIF PAY THEIR WAY! Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund WILL pay for new advertising around St James’ Park, unlike former owner Mike Ashley and his retail branding. This week saw the first LED boards carrying PIF’s name flash up during a game - ‘PIF, Invested in Better’. And Confidential can confirm that the club’s majority owners will pay for that privilege, contributing to revenue streams and PSR calculations. The sum is sure to be looked at by the Premier League given their rules on ‘Related Party Transactions’, but Newcastle’s valuation of Saudi-related sponsors has, so far, always fallen well within fair market value. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is set to pay for advertising around St James' Park KUB-NO! Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign Japan winger Takefusa Kubo - but will not be pursuing a move. The Magpies were approached and made aware of Kubo’s £50million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract. While there is respect for a player who was briefly a team-mate of Alexander Isak and has scored six times this season, the finances of the deal make it a non-starter. The 23-year-old would appear keen on a move to the Premier League and the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have both been credited with an interest in recent months. A right winger remains one of Newcastle’s primary targets heading into the summer. Miguel Almiron is set to join Atlanta United in a £10m deal, but it’s unlikely a replacement will arrive this month. Newcastle have decided not to pursue a move for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo Kubo will not replace Miguel Almiron, who is expected to rejoin his former club Atlanta United WHEN WILL THE KING RETURN? Newcastle’s hopes of bringing Kevin Keegan back to St James’ Park in some capacity appeared to move a step closer this week. Confidential understands that senior commercial staff were due to spend some time with the club legend. Keegan has not been to a home game since leaving as manager under Mike Ashley’s ownership in 2008. Privately, he says he will only return when the club have won a trophy - and with Newcastle still in the mix on all three domestic fronts, that could be sooner than we think. Wor Flags wanted to bring Keegan back for the home game versus Liverpool last month, when they had planned a special display. That did not happen for various reasons and it would appear the club are making their own moves to charm the former player and manager, who retains huge affection among the fanbase. That's most of it! Thanks mate 👍 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted yesterday at 11:21 Share Posted yesterday at 11:21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted yesterday at 11:24 Share Posted yesterday at 11:24 2 minutes ago, The Prophet said: He loves to put a negative spin on every story Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
et tu brute Posted yesterday at 11:29 Share Posted yesterday at 11:29 3 minutes ago, Ben said: He loves to put a negative spin on every story He should be put in Twitter bollocks as that is what his standard is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagCA Posted yesterday at 11:31 Share Posted yesterday at 11:31 9 minutes ago, The Prophet said: Aye, I suppose they did gamble. The result? Staring down the barrel of a massive PSR breach. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted yesterday at 11:34 Share Posted yesterday at 11:34 I get why it is a negative in this PSR world we live in, but a headline of "Previous Owner wanted to give the fans and manager something to be excited about", and that being seen as a negative will never not blow my mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack j Posted yesterday at 11:35 Share Posted yesterday at 11:35 3 minutes ago, MagCA said: The result? Staring down the barrel of a massive PSR breach. Or competing for champions league places yet again? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagCA Posted yesterday at 11:36 Share Posted yesterday at 11:36 Just now, jack j said: Or competing for champions league places yet again? Are we not doing that now, without them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagCA Posted yesterday at 11:39 Share Posted yesterday at 11:39 Also the article states they didn’t have the funds to keep investing. Pretty crucial part of the job, I’d argue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted yesterday at 11:44 Share Posted yesterday at 11:44 Not reading it. Amanda made costly mistakes but she did a lot more right and her communication with the fans is the best I’ve ever experienced from leadership. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stifler Posted yesterday at 11:48 Share Posted yesterday at 11:48 (edited) 48 minutes ago, Ben said: He loves to put a negative spin on every story He writes for the Telegraph. Edited yesterday at 12:13 by Stifler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted yesterday at 11:49 Share Posted yesterday at 11:49 4 minutes ago, The College Dropout said: Not reading it. Amanda made costly mistakes but she did a lot more right and her communication with the fans is the best I’ve ever experienced from leadership. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Jinx Posted yesterday at 11:53 Share Posted yesterday at 11:53 3 minutes ago, The College Dropout said: Not reading it. Amanda made costly mistakes but she did a lot more right and her communication with the fans is the best I’ve ever experienced from leadership. She's a dreamer. There's a parallel universe out there where her and Keegan worked together. Both excellent at selling the dream. Making assumptions about mistakes and laying it all on PCP is naïve, PIF still signed off on everything. The difference right now is there is nobody to sell a dream. Just boring corporate types and possibly the reason they may be less interested than before. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted yesterday at 12:10 Share Posted yesterday at 12:10 20 minutes ago, Stifler said: He rights for the Telegraph. He wrongs for the Telegraph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andycap Posted yesterday at 12:35 Share Posted yesterday at 12:35 That newcastle amazon documentary showed the great and the bad with her. Loved her passion for the club and the fans. But the gordon deal springs to mind where that fella we just added to the board said we couldn't spend what we needed for the gordon deal, but she was adamant to do it for eddie and basically went above the fellas head and went to Al rumayyan. That is probably what put us in bother that and keeping Wilson tripps miggy when we got offers. She would of sided with howe on keeping them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted yesterday at 12:51 Share Posted yesterday at 12:51 57 minutes ago, Dr Jinx said: She's a dreamer. There's a parallel universe out there where her and Keegan worked together. Both excellent at selling the dream. Making assumptions about mistakes and laying it all on PCP is naïve, PIF still signed off on everything. The difference right now is there is nobody to sell a dream. Just boring corporate types and possibly the reason they may be less interested than before. That's the bigger issue really. And again, is evidence that PIF weren't as invested mentally as we hoped. But they are also allowed to make mistakes. I assume they are watching things closer now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted yesterday at 12:56 Share Posted yesterday at 12:56 PIF see us as an investment. Why wouldn’t they? They are an investment fund, not some Geordie benefactor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paully Posted yesterday at 13:22 Share Posted yesterday at 13:22 2 hours ago, The Prophet said: Can some please do the honours! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Broon Posted yesterday at 13:24 Share Posted yesterday at 13:24 20 minutes ago, Unbelievable said: PIF see us as an investment. Why wouldn’t they? They are an investment fund, not some Geordie benefactor. Because we're a shit investment. If they're lucky they'd maybe just about break even if they sold us tomorrow (not taking into account ehat they're put in with related party sponsorships) and it's going to take many more years of significant front and back door investment to have any hope of closing financial gap to the big 6 and us comparable in value. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Icarus Posted yesterday at 13:29 Share Posted yesterday at 13:29 1 hour ago, MagCA said: Are we not doing that now, without them? On the back of the work they did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloGeordio Posted yesterday at 13:29 Share Posted yesterday at 13:29 6 minutes ago, Paully said: Can some please do the honours! Under Amanda Staveley, Newcastle gambled – now they stick rather than twist When it came to transfers, she wanted to give supporters and the manager what they wanted, all of the time – that is no longer possible Luke Edwards23 January 2025 8:03am GMT Under Amanda Staveley Newcastle would likely have signed a player in this transfer window, rather than dithering Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster If Newcastle United are not going to sign anyone this month – and that is what everybody behind the scenes has been insisting for several weeks – they run a risk of success slipping through their fingers. A Champions League place is there for the taking, while another shot at ending the most infamous trophy drought remains a distinct possibility in the Carabao Cup and, to a lesser extent, FA Cup. Newcastle, though, are not going to strengthen a squad, which is weaker now than it was last term, that has elite players, but not the depth to go with it. They rely on a strong core group and have done so brilliantly again, but they have needed an upgrade at centre-back and on the right wing for two years. They have done nothing about it. The risk is obvious from a purely football perspective, but it is one they say they are steadfast in being willing to take. Short-term decision-making – answering the needs of the present rather than worrying about the problems it could create – has been replaced by long-term strategic thinking. It was why sporting director Paul Mitchell was appointed last July and the Newcastle hierarchy are unapologetic about the shift in approach. The bottom line is that if Newcastle spend this month, they will have to sell someone before the end of June to comply with Premier League profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Having experienced the panic that came last summer, when they had a £60 million black hole in their finances, the horror of being less than 48 hours away from a 10-point penalty and those frantic, stressful days knowing that every player was effectively up for sale, Newcastle are determined to avoid a repeat. It is a prudent and sensible approach, but it fuels frustration. If Newcastle miss out on the Champions League, the hit to their prestige, as well as their finances, will be a painful and debilitating one. As for claiming the holy grail of a major trophy… Their top players, such as Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, may well feel disgruntled enough to believe the time has come for them to move on, using the lack of Champions League football as their excuse. Alexander Isak has scored 17 goals in 24 games for Newcastle this season Credit: Getty Images/Naomi Baker These are things being juggled behind the scenes. Nobody at Newcastle is daft and while manager Eddie Howe wanted to strengthen this month, he understands and appreciates the financial situation. He is on the same page as Mitchell, whose relationship with the manager is far stronger than people have claimed. What we know now is they are a different club to the one who immediately followed the Saudi Arabia-led takeover in 2021. Back then, the pledge was to win the lot. English football was so terrified of unleashing another Chelsea and Manchester City, they changed the rules regarding sponsorship deals connected to owners. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) would not be allowed to turbo-charge investment in the club through companies they own and, with it, accelerate Newcastle’s progress. The rules have worked as they were intended. The change has been gradual, but defined. The big turning point came last summer when co-owner Amanda Staveley departed. She had fronted the controversial takeover and led the club in those thrilling first two years when Newcastle spent heavily to turn a relegation-battling squad into a Champions League-qualifying one. Despite the kind words that followed, Staveley had been forced out. She did not have the money to keep investing in the club alongside PIF and the Reuben family, but she was also perceived as a loose cannon and did not rub along easily with chief executive Darren Eales. Newcastle fans show their appreciation for Staveley, who was a regular at St James’ Park Credit: Getty Images/Ian MacNicol Newcastle, under Staveley’s watch, were dreamers. They were crowd-pleasers. They wanted to give the supporters, as well as Howe, what they wanted, all of the time. It is who Staveley is and how she operates. If Staveley was still in charge, Newcastle would have signed a winger this month, no matter if it cost them £50 million to do so. As long as they got one of their top targets. They would have gambled. They would have reached for the stars, even at the risk of over-stretching, losing their footing and crashing down with a bump. Giving Howe better tools to complete the mission would have been their first priority, worrying about who they needed to sell was a can that could be volleyed down the road. Newcastle are sixth in the table, level on points with Manchester City and two points behind Chelsea in fourth. With Nottingham Forest, whom they beat comfortably away from home earlier in the season, occupying third place, Howe’s side – whose defeat by Bournemouth last weekend brought an end to a nine-game winning run – are well positioned to obtain a second top-four finish in three years. Securing Champions League football would be another remarkable achievement for Howe and his players. They were targeting a top-eight finish back in August. With the fact he could also guide the team to a second Carabao Cup final in that same period, should Newcastle capitalise on their 2-0 advantage from the first leg against Arsenal, this has the makings of another historic campaign. The opportunity is there to be taken; history could be made, trophy-winning glory is within their grasp. Therefore, there are some who are struggling to get their heads around the refusal to strengthen this month, given Newcastle have not signed a player to improve the first team since the summer of 2023. But Newcastle are not the same club any more. They have spent too much already. PSR rules are largely designed to stop clubs like them spending what they want to put themselves on a level footing with the commercially larger and richer “Big Six”. The handcuffs are strong. PIF are the richest owners in the world, but they have not been able to shake up the old order as they have done in boxing and golf with the same unlimited spending. Many people are very glad about that, too. This is the reality Newcastle have been forced to operate in. By not spending now, they know they will be in a stronger financial position in the summer, when more of their leading targets will be available. It makes sense from a business perspective, but sometimes logic collides with hopes and dreams. It creates friction. Newcastle can still fulfil their ambitions this season. It can still have a glorious outcome. They can still win the Carabao Cup, but they will need to avoid injuries, they will need a lot of luck and they will need Howe to extract more from this group than he has done before. It is a tall order, that could have been made easier this month, but Newcastle are planning for the future rather than worrying solely about the present. They are going to stick rather than twist. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macphisto Posted yesterday at 13:31 Share Posted yesterday at 13:31 Without reading the article, I don't think there's too much wrong with the headline. We'll have gone 2 years without a first team signing by the summer, no significant progress off the field, and we are nowhere near exploiting all of the loopholes regarding commercial income. The above is fine but don't blame PSR; PIF simply either do not want to invest as they initially led us to believe they would through their statements or are currently reassessing their whole football strategy (Newcastle, Saudi Leauge and World Cup). One other thing to note is maybe Eales was meant to play a more prominent role PR wise but unfortunately he can't do that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted yesterday at 13:51 Share Posted yesterday at 13:51 21 minutes ago, Jackie Broon said: Because we're a shit investment. If they're lucky they'd maybe just about break even if they sold us tomorrow (not taking into account ehat they're put in with related party sponsorships) and it's going to take many more years of significant front and back door investment to have any hope of closing financial gap to the big 6 and us comparable in value. I know you have a financial background, so I wonder what makes you say we’re a shit investment? We were clearly undervalued at acquisition time (305m), and since then they have roughly invested a further 350m afaik. If they were to sell, what do you think would be a sensible valuation for a club now back on track to be a regular European qualifier and with several assets seen as having increased in value considerably since we bought them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeEd32 Posted yesterday at 13:54 Share Posted yesterday at 13:54 There’s no reason to give that story a negative slant. Nor is there a reason to take the lack of first team investment as a change for PIF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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