Newcastle United anticipate a busy deadline day ahead, but fans on Tyneside must be excited to see the back of these frantic, helter-skelter months of market activity.

While Eddie Howe will largely be pleased with the signings made, the Magpies may be about to lose Alexander Isak to Liverpool, with the club-record £69m signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart certainly suggesting as much.

However, since Callum Wilson has also left St. James’ Park this summer, it’s crucial that United land themselves a second striker before the looming deadline.

Newcastle eyeing Deadline Day striker deal

Newcastle have been looking to sign Brentford’s Yoane Wissa over the summer, and while the DR Congo striker has been desperate to join the Tynesiders, the chances of him jumping ship look increasingly slim, with two bids having been rejected already.

Bees boss Keith Andrews has stressed that he expects Wissa to stay put, and that might mean that Newcastle are forced to search elsewhere.

But, should they succeed in their bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Jørgen Strand Larsen, any frustration over failing to sign Wissa would be wiped away, with the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope revealing that the Toon are still “trying” to sign the Norwegian.

Strand Larsen, 25, is valued at £65m, and Newcastle wouldn’t be willing to pay such a figure, but efforts are ongoing.

What Strand Larsen would bring to Newcastle

Strand Larsen spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Wolves, and made his stay permanent this summer, having scored 14 goals in the Premier League last term.

Described as a “nuisance” in the box by Toon legend Alan Shearer, the 6 foot 4 striker is an excellent modern target man, bearing the physicality, awareness and link-up ability to thrive for a team like Newcastle, challenging around the top.

While it would be fair to suggest that Woltemade has the higher ceiling, he’s an unfinished product, and Strand Larsen might actually prove the more polished forward at this stage for Newcastle, having proven himself already in England’s top flight.

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

28 (17)

Goals

14

12

Assists

4

2

Shots (on target)*

1.5 (1.0)

1.8 (0.9)

Accurate passes

8.4 (65%)

12.3 (72%)

Big chances created

6

8

Key passes*

0.6

1.3

Dribbles*

0.2

1.1

Ball recoveries*

1.2

1.9

Tackles*

0.3

0.4

Duels won*

3.0

4.4

Strand Larsen actually outscored Woltemade in regard to respective league tallies last year, and given that he was battling to stave off relegation with the Old Gold, there’s substance to the suggestion that he would star as Newcastle’s main man at number nine.

Couple that with the fact that he also had fewer shots per game and there is a potent threat here just waiting to be tested at a higher level.

Less dynamic and technically gifted when on the ball, Strand Larsen would certainly be a fantastic rival at the front of the ship for Woltemade as the latter pushes to make headway in the Premier League.

He appears to be better in front of goal at this stage and perhaps might find himself making a priceless impact for Howe’s outfit across the campaign, consistently shooting true in the wake of Isak’s potential sale to Liverpool.

Better deal than Woltemade: Newcastle join late race to sign £45m "machine"

Newcastle are hoping to sign a centre-midfielder before the transfer window slams shut.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 31, 2025

Ruben Amorim is edging closer to his one-year anniversary since he was appointed Manchester United manager, but it’s safe to say it’s not been an easy ride in the role.

The 40-year-old was seen as the perfect man to come in and change the Red Devils’ fortunes, but his spell at Old Trafford certainly hasn’t gone the way many anticipated.

He’s only achieved a 40% win rate since taking the reins last November, losing 20 of the 48 matches he’s taken charge of across all competitions – the worst of any manager of the club post World War 2.

The 2024/25 campaign was a dismal one for all involved at the Theatre of Dreams, registering their lowest-ever Premier League finish, but he was still handed over £200m to make the changes he desired.

After just a couple of games of the new campaign, judgment may have to be reserved until the new additions are settled, but that hasn’t stopped rumours from circulating about his future in the role.

The latest on Amorim’s future at Man Utd

Despite losing two of the first five league games of the 2025/26 season, the United board have stated that they will continue to back Amorim in his quest for success at the club.

The likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe were at the training ground last week, but it’s been claimed that they still have full faith in the Portuguese boss to transform the club’s fortunes.

However, that could all be about to change in the coming weeks, especially if the latest rumours around the current managerial situation are to be believed.

GIVEMESPORT have reported in recent days that the staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford are huge admirers of Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and could be tempted to appoint him should they part ways with Amorim.

The report also states that no move or decision on either situation has yet been made, but the 51-year-old remains a boss they’re tracking in case they decide to make a change.

Why United’s manager target is an upgrade on Amorim

The new generation of United supporters have only endured disappointment and frustration, subsequently failing to reach the heights achieved during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

The Scotsman won 13 Premier League titles during his time in charge at Old Trafford, the most of any manager in the division’s history, with the former boss putting the Red Devils on the map.

However, since his retirement in 2012/13, the club have failed to win a single league title, with second-placed finishes in 2017/18 and 2020/21 as good as it’s got for the fans in the last decade.

Amorim will undoubtedly be hoping to change such a drought, but up to now, he’s failed to create a side and system that looks remotely close to even challenging for a European spot.

Such failures could lead to the hierarchy making a change in the next few weeks/months, with Glasner the leading candidate to take over, as seen by recent reports.

When comparing the duo’s respective stats in England’s top-flight, the Austrian has achieved a far better record, doing so with a shoestring budget compared to Amorim.

Glasner, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, has achieved a better win percentage than Amorim – leading the Eagles to a 12th-placed finish last season, ending the year three places higher than United.

Games managed

70

48

Wins

34

19

Draws

21

9

Losses

15

20

Points per game

1.76

1.38

Win percentage

48.5%

39.5%

Goals scored (per 90)

1.71

1.96

Goals against (per 90)

1.14

1.92

Trophies won

2

0

He’s also notched a better point per game record, whilst also achieving a better win percentage, highlighting how impressive he’s been since taking the reins at Selhurst Park.

Glasner has also created new history for the Eagles, winning the FA Cup against Manchester City last campaign – subsequently claiming the club their first ever major trophy.

There’s no debating that the Austrian is a phenomenal manager, with any potential move to Old Trafford giving the fanbase an added reason to be excited in the near future.

It’s unclear at present if the 51-year-old would want to leave his current employers, but it’s certainly a situation for the fanbase to keep a close eye on.

Even though the board aren’t planning for a change, it could only take a couple of poor results to change that – with Glasner needing to be the priority if the Red Devils are to have any chance of ending their drought for a league title.

Outperforming Mainoo: Man Utd must regret losing "sensational" star for £0

Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing one young talent to leave the club on a free.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 23, 2025

Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will captain New Zealand A on their upcoming tour of Bangladesh with the squad also featuring recent debutants Rhys Mariu and Muhammad Abbas.Kelly will lead the one-day side which will be play three 50-over matches before handing over to Carter for the two four-day games.Kelly, Mariu and Abbas all made their debuts against Pakistan in the series which finished earlier this month. Allrounder Abbas was particularly eye-catching with the fastest ODI fifty on debut from 24 balls. Kelly and Mariu were the two leading run-scorers in the Plunket Shield.Carter, 32, impressed on New Zealand A’s last visit to the subcontinent, in India during 2022, averaging 60.40 and scoring two centuries, including a career-best 197.Wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, who made an unbeaten 99 against Pakistan in Hamilton, is part of the squad alongside allrounder Josh Clarkson.The pace attack also features players with international experience in Zak Foulkes and Ben Lister. Legspinner Adi Ashok, who was in the squad against Pakistan having previously played in 2023, has also been included.”For several players it will be their first time experiencing subcontinent conditions, which will be a great challenge and opportunity to further their skillsets,” Bob Carter, who will coach the side, said.The one-day games take place on May 5, 7 and 10 in Sylhet followed by the first four-game from May 14-17 at the same venue before the second takes place in Dhaka from May 21-24.

New Zealand A squad vs Bangladesh A

Muhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Joe Carter (red-ball captain), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Nick Kelly (white-ball captain), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Dale Phillips

Chelsea have now joined the race for a second Barcelona player who has “infinite” talent, alongside Fermin Lopez, it has been revealed.

Blues enter race for another Barcelona player

Right the way through the summer transfer window, the Blues were credited with an interest in Lopez, with Fabrizio Romano revealing an official proposal was even submitted at the end of August.

However, the west Londoners were unable to get a deal done, in part because the attacking midfielder had little interest in leaving his boyhood club, saying: “My priority has always been Barcelona. This club is my dream since I was a kid.

“It is always a compliment that there is interest from other clubs, but the truth is that I always wanted to stay and succeed at Barça”.

It remains to be seen whether Enzo Maresca’s side make another approach for the 22-year-old in the future, but in the meantime they have been credited with an interest in a different Barcelona player…

Indeed, according to a report from Spain, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Dro Fernandez, who has become one of the most watched players in Europe, while also regarded as one of the most exciting youngsters in Spain.

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Dominic Lund

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Manchester City are also in the race for the 17-year-old, so there could be competition for his signature, although Barça are reluctant to sanction a departure.

Fernandez would initially be brought into the reserve side, given that he is yet to make a senior appearance for Barcelona, but there would be a clear pathway to the first team.

Fernandez could be future star for Chelsea

Former coach Javi Roxo clearly believes the teenager is destined for future success, saying: “Dro was always very special, he has a gift for touching the ball and has always been very creative.

“Dro is capable of everything and if Flick puts him on the wing he can also do well, it won’t be Raphinha but he can look like the Iniesta who played on the left. If he relieves himself of pressure and plays freely, he is capable of anything, his talent is infinite.”

The young Spaniard is yet to be called up to the Barcelona first team, but he has started to catch the eye at youth level, scoring twice in the UEFA Youth League last season, while also bagging two goals in six appearances for Spain U17s.

As such, Fernandez is clearly capable of becoming a future star for Chelsea, but it may be difficult to lure him away from Barcelona, who will surely be reluctant to sell one of their most exciting young talents.