NO ALMIRON ..NO RAFA?
RAFA BENITEZ has had a damaging setback to his transfer plans with a deal for Miguel Almiron collapsing.
The midfielder, who starred in Atlanta United’s MLS Cup win last month, was Benitez’s top target as he tries to steer Newcastle away from relegation.
But the Magpies refused to meet the £24million valuation of his American club, while the £5m-a-year wage demand of the Paraguay playmaker, would make him the top earner at St James’ Park, which was also a problem.
Toon boss Benitez had asked for an attacking player and a left-back. Sources insist there is money available and that the club are prepared to break their £16m transfer record set by Michael Owen’s arrival 14 years ago.
But Benitez is likely to remain sceptical until a major deal is completed. If there is no sign of Newcastle spending, and no takeover, it makes it almost certain the Spaniard will leave when his contract ends in June. He will not talk about an extended deal until next month.
Newcastle are hugely in profit and it remains to be seen whether owner Mike Ashley chooses to reduce his £129m loan by clawing back more cash.
Leeds United are ready to end their pursuit of Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow and look at other options because of his £4m price tag. The 28-year-old (right) has 170 appearances for
Checkatrade Trophy Sunderland Newcastle U-21
4 0 CHARLIE WYKE helped seal a Wear-tyne derby win to leave Sunderland two wins from Wembley.
The Black Cats avoided a youth team embarrassment against Newcastle’s kids in the Checkatrade Trophy which Newcastle and Nottingham Forest and was seen by Leeds as the experienced keeper they needed to provide cover for Bailey Peacock-farrell.
But they are not prepared to pay Newcastle’s asking price and want a loan deal.
With Toon refusing to budge on a fee, Leeds will look elsewhere.
Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden is another transfer had never witnessed anything like this game in the preliminary rounds.
Some 16,654 turned up at the Stadium of Light for a renewal of Northeast hostilities, with firecrackers rocking the away end, and a noise and passion at a fixture not seen for almost three years. Wyke target. West Brom and Aston Villa are keen on the 23-year-old but it is understood Albion’s attempt to sign him on loan was rejected .
Hayden is still interesting the Championship clubs after admitting in the summer he reluctantly wanted to leave St James’ Park for family reasons.
Benitez has made it clear he rates Hayden highly and wants to keep him. (left) made it 2-0 from a Chris Maguire cross, following an own goal from Kelland Watts early in the second half.
The 2,800 Toon fans played their insurance card chanting, “You sad Mackem b ***** ds, you’re playing our kids,” and “We saw you cry on the Netflix”, after the documentary charting Sunderland’s consecutive relegations. Ben Dawson’s Under-21s were within inches of a goal when Callum Roberts squared the ball but Adam Wilson failed to connect.
Maguire (inset) added a third with a drive from 20 yards and sub Ben Kimpioka headed a fourth late on. WATFORD midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has admitted he is dreaming of a move to Paris Saintgermain.
The star-studded French champions have the 26-year-old (above) on their shortlist as they hunt for a holding midfielder.
Hornets boss
Javi Gracia (right), however, has ruled out selling Doucoure this month. But the player has insisted that while he is “happy to evolve” at Vicarage Road he is still keen to play alongside the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris.
The former France Under-21 star said: “PSG
WINGER RAFAEL CAMACHO IS ON
HIS WAY BACK TO SPORTING LISBON ON LOAN JUST 24 HOURS AFTER MAKING HIS LIVERPOOL DEBUT
Nacional on Monday.
And Brahimi enhanced his reputation by scoring twice. Brahimi (left) is out of contract at the end of the season and could be available at a knock-down price.
BRIGHTON, BOURNEMOUTH AND CRYSTAL PALACE ARE ALL TRACKING £5M-RATED 19-YEAR-OLD IPSWICH MIDFIELDER ANDRE DOZZELL