Newcastle United transfer target Bruno Guimaraes is understood to be keen on a switch to St James' Park.
Elsewhere, Allan Saint-Maximin has given an exclusive interview on the Magpies' ambitions, his future goals and his relationship with fans.
Here are your Newcastle United headlines for January 27.
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Guimaraes latest
Bruno Guimaraes is understood to have told his agents to push through a move to Newcastle United.
His current club Lyon released a statement which at first glance looked like it was pouring cold water on reports from France and the UK that he was set to join the Magpies.
However, given Lyon's history of selling players, and their need to notify the stock market first, there is hope the transfer will still be completed.
Although, the transfer is layered with complexities given Newcastle are in Saudi Arabia and the midfielder is in Brazil on international duty and his medical would have to take place in South America.
The deal is still not agreed between the two clubs and the structure of the £33.5million fee seems to be a factor amid the negotiations.
Burns offer rejected
Newcastle United will have to try again in their bid sign Brighton & Hove Albion's Dan Burn.
Sources at the Amex Stadium have indicated that their initial enquiry of around £8million was dismissed by the Seagulls.
The 6ft 7in defender is a boyhood fan of the Magpies and grew up idolising Alan Shearer.
Newcastle know they are up against the clock and the problem is now compounded by clubs suggesting selling star players now would then leave them with a mad scramble to get a replacement.
Sevilla supremo on Carlos
Sevilla director of football Monchi has broken his silence on the Diego Carlos deal - insisting Newcastle United's offer for the centre-back "wasn't enough".
The La Liga supremo has Carlos' agent encamped in the city demanding either a new improved deal for his client or a January move.
But Monchi claims Carlos is happy despite suggestions of unrest for the Brazilian defender.
Saint-Maximin exclusive
Allan Saint-Maximin's sweatshirt amusingly reads "No comment" as he sits down to talk about his story so far at Newcastle United.
It proves to be a contradiction in terms as Saint-Maximin opens up about his highs and lows at St James' Park.
Saint-Maximin candidly stated last summer that the club should be aiming for the top 10 and fighting for one of the domestic cups.
As we settle down for a chat via Zoom direct from Jeddah to the Geordie Riviera, Saint-Maximin - who has now twice been voted the Chronicle' Fans' Footballer of the Year in 2020 and 2021 - is not instantly drawn back to talk of his ambition.
In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle the French ace insisted:
- His love affair with Toon supporters has kept him on board
- Focus on the survival battle ahead is the only thing on his agenda
- Why he now feels he's at a club that are building the "best team they can"
- Why things have gone wrong this season and how they can be fixed
- His personal motivation to help feed thousands in the city via donations to the West End Foodbank
Training camp investment
Riding camels in the Jeddah desert may be a little different to jumping on rollercoasters at Disney World, but Newcastle United are not the only side down at the bottom who have travelled across the globe to build team spirit over the years.
West Brom jetted off to Florida in 2005 after a similarly difficult start to the season. In fact, the Baggies, like Newcastle, also picked up just one victory from their opening 20 league fixtures.
However, remarkably, upon returning from the US, Bryan Robson's side won three of their next four games before going on to stay up on the final day of the campaign.
To put that achievement into perspective, the Baggies are the only one of the last 12 teams who have survived in the top-flight after such a poor start.
Rather than deter Newcastle, that statistic will give Eddie Howe's side renewed hope that the Magpies can also pull off the great escape when they fly home - particularly after the win at Leeds last time out.
Of course, it is important to note that this trip to Saudi has led to some uncomfortable questions being asked - Amnesty International feared the authorities would use it to try and 'sportswash their appalling human rights record' - but Howe has repeatedly stressed it is a 'football decision'.
For Howe, it is a chance for an already tight-knit group of players to bond - just as West Brom did in 2005. Indeed, Thomas Gaardsoe, the Baggies' former centre-back, previously told ChronicleLive that getting to know his team-mates better away from the training ground was what 'really changed it for us'.
Gaardose could sense that the players 'started believing again that this miracle might actually happen' and fellow defender Paul Robinson felt likewise.
Cook admits 'honour'
Garry Cook has admitted that it would be a 'honour' to be approached by Newcastle United but the former Man City chief executive would find it a 'big step' to return to the front line again.
Newcastle's new owners started a formal recruitment process to appoint a CEO after long-serving managing director Lee Charnley left the club in November.
An external recruitment firm is assisting with that process - as is the case with the club's search for a director of football - and candidates are being interviewed.
Although Cook is not believed to be in the running, the former Nike and UFC man is well-placed to at least comment. Cook, after all, witnessed how part-owner Amanda Staveley was 'instrumental in introducing the right people to the right proposition' when it came to the sale of City in 2008.
Trippier interview
Kieran Trippier says he wants to help his Newcastle teammates in the same way Craig Bellamy once helped him.
Trippier was at Manchester City at the same time as former Newcastle United striker Bellamy and says he wants to emulate the Welshman by inspiring and pushing his new teammates.
He made the comments to Alan Shearer in an interview for the Athletic during which he also talked about why he signed for the Magpies and what he hopes to achieve.
Everton injury setback
Everton will be without two midfielders when they visit St James’ Park for their relegation battle against Newcastle next month.
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Newcastle United ’s first match after they return from their trip to Saudi Arabia will be at home to Everton on February 8, but the Toffees ruled two players out due to injury today.
Everton are currently 16th in the table, four points ahead of Newcastle, but the club is in turmoil, with no manager in place, fans protesting against the owners, and now bad news regarding injuries.
