This Past Week at Newcastle United

Monday

Rafa Benitez spoke out today saying that he hopes owner Mike Ashley keeps his promise on spending money for incoming transfers. Benitez said

“When I had the meeting with Mike Ashley, I was confident that we have the money available and the wages. Everything is in place to move forward. Hopefully Mike can keep his word and we can do what we want to do.”

Newcastle have reportedly reached an agreement with Norwich in the region of £12M for winger Jacob Murphy. The 22-year-old England youth international has been a major target for the toon and now all that’s waiting to complete the deal is a medical and personal terms.

Yohan Gouffran has left the club and joined Turkish side Goztepe Izmir. Since joining Newcastle from Bordeaux in 2013, Gouffran has featured in well over 100 matches and will join the newly promoted Turkish side in Austria for their preseason training.

Adam Armstrong was shipped out on loan once again. This time until January with Bolton Wanderers. Armstrong has been with Newcastle United since he was 9 years old and is getting closer and closer to breaking into the first team. When asked about the loan, Armstrong said

“It’s a great feeling to be here. I’m really pleased to have the deal all sorted so quickly and I can’t wait to get started.”

Tuesday

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Benitez was back speaking of the transfer window again but more assured fans of his trust in Owner Mike Ashley. Benitez was quoted saying

“When I had the meeting with Mike we were talking about the money he would give us for doing the signings, the budget was fine. We have the resources to do what we want to do – but now we have to do it.”

It has been reported that a £12M fee has been agreed upon on for Norwich winger Jacob Murphy. He is flying to Newcastle’s Ireland training camp to go over personal term and to undergo his medical with the club.

The former Liverpool and mackem defender Javier Manquillo is set to join Newcastle for a fee around £4.5M pounds. Athletico Madrid have told Manquillo that he is free to negotiate a deal with the Magpies. The Full Back made 10 appearances with Liverpool and 20 with Sunderland on loan spells. He is keen to stay in England and is excited about the opportunity to play for Rafa Benitez. It is reported to be a 3-year deal for the player.

Wednesday

SIGNING ALERT!

Newcastle have signed former Norwich City Winger and England U21 International Jacob Murphy for a fee of £12M. Murphy came up through Norwich’s youth ranks and last season scored 10 goals in all competitions (2 against Newcastle). Murphy spoke at Newcastle’s Irish training camp.

“It was my childhood dream to represent Newcastle and now the opportunity is here I cant wait to start.” Benitez also spoke about Murphy saying “Hes a young and talented player and hopefully he can develop even more here. We hope he can show us the passion, commitment and ability that he showed in the Championship last season.”

Rafa Benitez stated that he really likes Everton’s Midfielder James McCarthy however, the player is not high on his wish list for the team. In 2013 the McCarthy made a move from Wigan to Everton, and since then has made over 100 appearances. Over time, injuries and new signings have made manager Ronald Koeman to look elsewhere. It is rumored that McCarthy would be worth around £20M. Leicester City seem to be the leaders to sign the experienced 26 year old. When asked about McCarthy, Benitez said

“He (McCarthy) is a good player but we now have a lot of them at this club – We have been linked with around 100 players but he is not our first target at the moment.”

Newcastle are being linked with West Ham’s Darren Randolph. Benitez announced his desire to sign another keeper while speaking about new signing Jacob Murphy. He feels that more competition between the goalposts will help. Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow seems to be the two keepers in line right now for the starting job. Speaking of Elliot, Benitez said

“The main thing for Rob Elliot is to be fit. He’s training hard after playing the final three games of last season. He is a good goalkeeper, but I want him to compete. You cant have players that think its easy, because they are the only in that position. Hopefully, we can bring a new goalkeeper, and this competition will be good for the team.”

Thursday

Photo by Christian Cooksey/Getty Images

Rafa Benitez thinks brand new signing Jacob Murphy can develop even more at Newcastle. The U21 International scored 10 goals in 41 appearances last season in the championship. The wages and length of the contract have been kept under wraps.

Javier Manquillo seems set to be the next Newcastle signing on a permanent deal from Athletico Madrid. He spent last season in the Premier League on loan to the mackems, and has loan spells with Liverpool and Marseille. The fee is rumored to be around £4M. Rafa thinks the 23-year-old defender could become a valuable asset. Pictures of Manquillo were posted online showing him wearing a Newcastle training kit at their Ireland training ground.

Jonjo Shelvey is doing his best and staying in shape for the new premier league season but feels reinforcements are still needed. Shelvey was key to our promotion last year and thinks the club still needs more help if they expect to survive. Shelvey said

“The manager thinks enough of me to keep me at the club and play me, so the main thing I need to do is repay him. I think we need to probably bring a few players in but that is not down to us. We are the ones at the club and we are the ones who have got to come to the front when the season starts, regardless of anyone coming in. It is a real opportunity, quite a young squad and there are not many that have played (much) in the Premier League.”

34-year-old Striker Daryl Murphy seems to be next outgoing for the club. Nottingham Forest have reportedly agreed on a £2M fee for the player. Forest looking to replace forward Britt Assombalonga who was sold for £15 to Middlesboro. Both parties are eager to get the deal done. Murphy netted six times last year in the championship for the toon.

Friday

SIGNING ALERT!

Magpies have signed Athletico Madrid defender Javier Manquillo. Manquillo has Premier League experience with loan spells at Liverpool and the mackems. The Spaniard has signed a 3 year deal to make him Newcastle’s fourth signing this summer. Last year he made 20 appearences on loan with the mackems. With a future with Athletico unlikey, it was Rafa Benitez and the magpies that won his signature. Manquillo had this to say about the signing

“I’m very happy to be here. From the first moment that Rafa Benitez called me I just knew that I had to come here, to such a big club.”

Dwight Gayle says he is confident he can score the goals needed to ensure a successful campaign for the Magpies. After three difficult years at Crystal Palace, the 27-year-old joined the club last year. He was a massive part in Newcastle’s Championship season scoring 23 goals. Dwight Gayle had this to say about wearing the Iconic #9 in the Premier League this coming season.

“You obviously know the history of it and how much people rely on that #9 to do well. I know I have a lot of weight on my shoulders and I will have to do well next season.”

For outgoing news, Daryl Murphy has joined Nottingham Forest on a reported £2M deal. Reports indicate that the 34-year-old striker and Ireland International agreed to a 3 year deal with the club. Murphy joined the Magpies last August on a £3M deal from Ipswich Town and was massive when called upon scoring 6 goals in 18 appearances.

Saturday

Match Report

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Newcastle – 1 (Mitrovic 8’)

Preston North End – 1 (Barkhuizen 33’)

Newcastle

Team: Rob Elliot, Paul Dummett, Chancel Mbemba, Florian Lejeune, Grant Hanley, Jonjo Shelvey, Mo Diame, Siem, De Jong, Rolando Aarons, Christian Atsu, Aleksandar Mitrovic

Subs Used: Karl Darlow (46), Freddie Woodman (70), Ciaran Clark (46), Javier Manquillo (76), Deandre Yedlin (46), Jack Colback (46), Issac Hayden (46), Callum Roberts (62), Jacob Murphy (46), Ayoze Perez (46), Dwight Gayle (46)

Preston North End

Team: Maxwell, Vermijl, Cunningham, Pearson, Browne, Hugill, Johnson, Davies, Huntington, Barkhuizen, Robinson

Subs Used: Hudson, Boyle, Grimshaw, Spurr, Meulensteen, Earl

Mitrovic loves playing against Preston. In his last two appearences visiting Preston, the striker has scored 3 goals and 5 goals in 4 overall. All the action happened in the first half as both sides drew. Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo made their debuts with the club in the 2^nd half.

Rafa Benitez may not be happy with the score line but the club walked away everyone being able to play and no injuries.

Jacob Murphy spoke about his first Magpies appearance. “I know I’ve got a job to do for the team, and I know the expectations from the fans when you’re wearing this club crest”