Your Newcastle United headlines for Saturday, October 15.
Bruno’s new deal
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Newcastle are preparing a new contract for talisman Bruno Guimaraes. Less than one year after his arrival, the Brazilian has been so impactful that Toon chiefs are devising improved terms.
Guimaraes admitted there were “conversations” about a Real Madrid switch in the summer after his spellbinding performance against Brentford last weekend. However, there is no desperation to sell their asset and Romano insists Newcastle want to tie the midfielder down.
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“Newcastle are planning to offer Bruno Guimarães a new contract very soon, including salary increase as part of the negotiation as many top clubs are monitoring him after super performances,” he tweeted. “‘We don’t want to sell him’, Dan Ashworth said in the last hours about Bruno.”
Gio gives King update
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists he is unaware of “any interest” regarding youngster Leon King. Reports have linked both Newcastle and Leeds United with the defender - who played in the 7-1 hiding against Liverpool - in recent weeks.
“I have not heard about any interest down south,” the Dutchman said post-match. “Obviously, when you are performing well in Scotland, you receive interest.
“Leon is a player who is developing really well. He already played some games last year but we wanted to make space for him to get more minutes. When he’s taking the minutes, he’s performing really well so I’m really happy.
“He’s only 18, he still has a lot to learn, but he’s one of the players who are open for coaching, who is open to put in the energy and work hard to better himself. His future is very bright, but he needs to continue playing well and training well. We’re helping him with that process and he’s developing really well.”
Better than Juninho
Ex-Brazil international Juninho Pernambucano expects Newcastle target Andrey Santos to surpass his own ability. It is widely expected that the Magpies will aim to sign the 18-year-old from Vasco da Gama next year.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth has already bolstered the club’s academy ranks since his appointment in June but signing the highly-rated Brazilian would be the boldest youth addition so far. Valued at £30million, Santos is waving waves at Vasco da Gama - Juninho’s former club.
The now Lyon director of football has backed the midfielder to become a worldwide superstar. “It is difficult to find a player at 18 as ready as he is,” he said. “Physically he is a monster. Without the ball, his participation is total. I even wanted to see his GPS, because he doesn’t stop. And technically he is far above the others.
“He’s not going to be better than me, he’s going to be much better than me. He’s a much more complete player. At 18 I didn’t play half as much as he does, I’m not ashamed to say that.”
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