Bournemouth have told Newcastle United that Matt Ritchie must be included in any potential deal for Callum Wilson.
Elsewhere, the Magpies suffered a heavy defeat in their latest pre-season outing at Middlesbrough.
Here are your top Newcastle United stories for September 1:
Wilson latest
Callum Wilson's camp do not expect the striker to be at Bournemouth 'much longer' as Newcastle United step up their pursuit of the No 9.
Steve Bruce has been keen to sign a new striker this summer and Dwight Gayle's knee injury has only further underlined the need for reinforcements ahead of the start of the new campaign on September 12.
To put the current situation into perspective, Andy Carroll was the only recognised centre forward available for the Magpies' pre-season friendly win against Barnsley on Saturday.
Wilson is a player Bruce has long admired and, given the short turnaround this summer, the Newcastle head coach has prioritised players with proven Premier League experience - which is particularly important up front.
While Wilson's attitude and application have certainly not been in doubt since he returned to pre-season training on July 17, ChronicleLive understands his camp 'would not expect' that he will be at the Vitality Stadium 'much longer'.
Fans on Ritchie swap
Newcastle United's search for a striker has taken a new turn after the club were told by Bournemouth that Matt Ritchie would need to be included in any potential deal for Callum Wilson.
Wilson has a host of admirers from the Premier League and with the European Championship now taking place next summer is keen to return to the top flight following Bournemouth's relegation.
United signed Ritchie from Bournemouth with the Scottish international dropping down a division in the summer of 2016 and was an integral part of promotion back to the Premier League.
United would be expected to stump up cash plus Ritchie, who only signed a new contract earlier this year, in any deal with Bournemouth valuing Wilson at close to £30 million.
The proposal has left fans split.
Boro thrashing
Newcastle United suffered a 5-1 friendly defeat against Middlesbrough - just 11 days before the new Premier League season gets under way.
Steve Bruce's side were behind after just seven minutes when Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga broke the deadlock at Rockliffe Park with a composed finish.
The home side quickly doubled their advantage in the behind closed doors clash and it was Assombalonga, once again, who found the back of the net after linking up with striker partner Ashley Fletcher.
Middlesbrough's tails were up and Marcus Tavernier made it 3-0 after he fired home from the edge of the area to leave the Magpies with a mountain to climb.
Newcastle did manage to pull a goal back before half-time through Allan Saint-Maximin, who finished a clinical breakaway, but things got worse after the break.
Warnock's verdict
Newcastle United may have suffered a 5-1 friendly defeat against Middlesbrough but Steve Bruce will know 'it's different when the competitiveness starts' later this month, according to Neil Warnock.
Warnock's side put the Magpies to the sword in their behind closed doors' clash at Rockliffe Park on Tuesday as both teams continued their preparations for the new campaign.
After the game, Warnock said it was 'good to see the goals go in' against a 'tough' opponent but added both sides were 'in pre-season and experimenting' .
Hayden's response to competition
Isaac Hayden 'always wants' to test himself against new signings and players in his position at Newcastle United - but the midfielder insists he knows what he can 'give to the team'.
The Magpies are well-stocked in central midfield with Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Jeff Hendrick, the Longstaff brothers and Dan Barlaser all currently battling it out.
Hayden's energy and ability to break up attacks are extremely valued by Steve Bruce, who previously worked with the 25-year-old at Hull, and, tellingly, despite missing games through injury and suspension, no other midfielder made more appearances for the Magpies last season.
It would be a surprise if Hayden lost his place but Hendrick's arrival, Matty Longstaff's new deal and the return of Barlaser to the fold have certainly been welcomed by the midfielder as he prepares for his fifth season at St James' Park.
Hendrick's Magpies ambition
Jeff Hendrick believes he has joined a club with top 10 calibre in Newcastle United.
The Republic of Ireland international feels that Steve Bruce's squad can at least challenge for a top half finish this season and match the achievements of his old club Burnley.
Hendrick played his part in the Lancashire club's 10th place position last term and also helped them finish seventh in 2018.
Hughton 'itching' to return
Former Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton admits he is "itching" to get back into management.
The former Magpies, Norwich City and Brighton manager has been without a club since his dismissal from the Seagulls in May 2019.
Hughton has turned down five approaches from Championship clubs, and was recently linked with vacant posts at Birmingham City and Bristol City.
The 61-year-old remains popular on Tyneside after guiding United back to the top-flight in 2010, and he repeated the feat with Brighton seven years later.
Hughton believes his time out from the sport has given him a chance to "re-educate" himself as a manager, but he admits he is now desperate to get back in the dugout.
