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Here, we round-up all the latest headlines that have emerged from St James’ Park and beyond:

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Newcastle United linked with shock transfer

Newcastle United have been linked with a shock move for former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Pogba was handed a four-year ban for a doping offence back in February, one that was later reduced to 18-months.

The terms of the ban mean the midfielder is eligible to return to football in January and after agreeing a mutual termination of his contract with Juventus last week, he is a free agent. With the January transfer window approaching, Pogba, who helped France lift the 2018 World Cup, has been linked with a sensational return to the Premier League with Newcastle United and West Ham, according to Fichajes, interested in a move.

Spurs star handed huge ban by FA

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been fined £100,000 and handed a seven-match ban by the FA after using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min whilst appearing on TV in Uruguay back in June. A statement by the FA read: ‘An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

‘It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

‘Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.’

Bentancur will now be unable to play in any of Spurs’ next seven domestic matches, but is available to be selected in the Europa League. The Uruguayan will not play again in the Premier League until Spurs’ trip to the City Ground on Boxing Day.

However, that does mean that he will be available for their clash with Wolves on December 29 and their first match of 2025 which will come against Newcastle United on January 4.

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A former Sunderland winger has reflected on the snubs he received from a number of Premier League clubs earlier in his career.

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Former Sunderland loan signing Antoine Semenyo has reflected on coping with rejection from several clubs before embarking on a professional career with Bristol City.

The 21-times capped Ghana international was finally offered a deal with the academy system at the Ashton Gate club after spending time on trial with Premier League quartet Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Championship club Millwall. After earning senior experience with non-league club Bath City and League Two side Newport County, Semenyo joined Sunderland for the second half of the 2019/20 season. However, the Black Cats missed out on a place in the League One play-offs after the Covid-19 pandemic brought a premature end to the season and the final league standings were calculated on a points-per-game basis.

However, Semenyo’s involvement in the unsuccessful push for the top six was limited to just six substitute appearances and a solitary start, which came in a 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers on what proved to be the final day of the season. He returned to Bristol City and gradually worked his way into the Robins side over the following seasons to become one of the most dangerous wide players in the Championship. After scoring a total of 21 goals and providing 21 assists in 125 appearances in all competitions, Semenyo secured a first move into the Premier League with Bournemouth after the Cherries agreed a fee believed to be in excess of £10m during the January 2023 transfer window. After a slow start to life at the Vitality Stadium, Semenyo clicked into gear last season as he scored eight goals and provided two assists in 36 appearances and he has taken that momentum into the current campaign.

His performances over the first three months of the season have led to speculation over a possible move to the likes of Newcastle United and, ironically, Arsenal and Spurs, two of the clubs that rejected him as a youngster. In a recent interview, Semenyo has reflected on the path his career has taken since he was rejected following trial periods in his teens and revealed the experience still motivates his to this day.

"As a 15- or 16-year-old, you don't know how to cope with your emotions - being so high, being so upset all the time," Semenyo told Football Focus. “I did have a lot of doubts but I had positive parents. They always told me life's not always going to be roses. They are all experiences that you have to go through. But it’s definitely helped me and motivated me to this day."

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Sunderland have touted for a loan swoop for a Premier League centre forward

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has already hinted towards the possibility of Sunderland-linked striker Dane Scarlett leaving the Premier League club on loan this summer.

The Black Cats are still very much in the hunt for reinforcements at the point of attack having been frustrated in their efforts to recruit a new centre forward in recent weeks. On Sunday evening, Sports Illustrated published a report suggesting that Regis Le Bris’ side hold ‘significant interest’ in Scarlett, who would ideally be brought in to supplement the arrival of a more senior figure as well.

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The 20-year-old spent part of last season on loan at Ipswich Town, but was recalled early by his parent club having been limited to just 146 minutes of Championship football over the course of 12 outings. The campaign prior, Scarlett scored six times in 40 appearances for Porstmouth.

And speaking about the player following his return to North London at the end of December, Postecoglou seemingly suggested that Spurs would have a decision to make over whether or not to sanction another departure for him this summer, if a suitable opportunity were to present itself.

The Australian said: “Good to get Dane back and obviously the loan didn't work out for him at Ipswich, which is disappointing for him and disappointing for us because the reason we sent him out on loan was to get some game-time, rhythm and develop.

“It hasn't worked out that way so it made sense to bring him back. He is back training with us and becomes available from January 1st again. Then it is up to him. He will stay with us until the rest of the year and we'll see how he trains and what opportunities may or may not come along, so we'll address those situations then.”

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Scarlett recorded just 19 minutes of Premier League football after being recalled to Spurs last term, and a further report from Football.London has reiterated the potential for him to seal an exit between now and the end of the month.

The online outlet claim that the forward’s future has been put ‘in doubt’ after he failed to get off the bench during a pre-season tour of Asia that included matches against Vissel Kobe, K-League Allstars, and Bayern Munich. Scarlett was involved in friendlies prior to the tour against Hearts and QPR, but evidently did not impress enough to convince of Postecoglou of the need for his continued inclusion.

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The former Sunderland, West Ham and Rangers man took to social media to announce his Tottenham exit

Former Sunderland, Portsmouth and England striker Jermain Defoe has left his role at Tottenham Hotspur.

The ex-striker wants to take his first steps into the world of management and threw his hat into the ring to take the Sunderland job earlier this summer before the appointment of Régis Le Bris.

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Defoe - who also played for Rangers, Bournemouth and West Ham during his career - has been coaching at former club Tottenham for some time but has now departed his post as he looks to take the next steps in his career.

“For the past two seasons I have thoroughly enjoyed my coaching time at THFC,” wrote Defoe on social media. “Today I leave this incredible club, and I want to say thank you to all the amazing people in the building who have helped me learn and grow.

“It has been a pleasure to achieve so much at Spurs including reaching UEFA A coaching status which was always an ambition of mine following my playing career. Spurs will always hold a special place in my heart and the fans already know how much the club means to me.

“How ver, now is the right time for me to move on and shape the rest of my coaching and managerial career, nevertheless I will forever remember my time at Spurs fondly. All great journeys eventually come to an end and I wish everyone at the club nothing but the best for the coming season and the future. Until next time,” he concluded.

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Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer as talks over a new contract with Juventus stall.

Newcastle United have been among those credited with an interest in the Italian international this summer as doubts grow over his long-term future at Juventus. Chiesa has spent the last four years in Turin following a move from Fiorentina, but reports suggest his relationship with the club is growing distant and that he could be sold this summer.

With just one year left on his current deal, Juventus may look to sell Chiesa this summer in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year. A fee of around £20m could be enough to secure his services this summer amid reports that an agreement over a new deal is not forthcoming.

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The 26-year-old scored ten goals in 37 games in all competitions last season and was part of the Italy squad that were eliminated at the Round of 16 group stage at Euro 2024. Newcastle United are in the market for a versatile forward and Chiesa, who can play on either wing, could be someone they move for - however, they will face stiff competition for his signature.

That’s because both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Chiesa this summer. Unlike the Magpies, Chelsea and Spurs can offer Chiesa European football next season.

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The latest transfer talk from across the Championship.

Leeds United have reportedly identified Sheffield United right-back Jayden Bogle as their preferred target as the Whites aim to strengthen Daniel Farke’s defensive options.

After failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League following their Championship play-off final defeat against Southampton, there were concerns there could be a firesale at Elland Road as the Whites dealt with the financial impact of having to spend a second season in the second tier. However, the £35m sale of academy graduated Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur has freed up some funds for Farke to use as he looks to guide the club back into the top flight during the upcoming season.

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Although the likes of Illan Meslier, Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville continued to be linked with moves away from Leeds, there is a determination to freshen up Farke’s ranks and Joe Rodon, Alex Cairns and Joe Rothwell have already arrived this summer - but a right-back remains a priority and Bogle is said to be on the Whites radar. The former Derby County star has made over 100 appearances for the Blades since he joined them in a £3m move in September 2020 and was a regular throughout last season as Chris Wilder’s side suffered relegation from the top flight.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon has claimed Leeds will have to hand over around £7m if they are to persuade their Championship rivals to authorise a deal and ensure they strengthen at right-back following the departures of Gray, Luke Ayling and Cody Drameh. Danish defender Rasmus Kristensen is set to the return to Elland Road following a loan spell at Roma but could depart before the end of the transfer window and that would leave Sam Byram as the only option Farke possesses on the right-hand side of his defence.

Hatters snap up former Arsenal and Spurs defender

Luton Town’s own preparations for an attempt to bounce back into the Premier League at the first attempt got underway earlier this week when they signed free agent Shandon Baptiste following his departure from Brentford.

Hatters boss Rob Edwards has now made a second new addition to his squad after he secured the signing of Arsenal youngster Reuell Walters. The versatile 19-year-old has been a regular feature in Gunners academy sides in recent years after joining them from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 but reportedly rejected a new contract to join Luton on a free transfer.

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After completing the signing, Edwards said: “Reuell is another person we are delighted to bring into the club. He’s a really exciting signing – a dynamic, quick, talented young player. He’s had a brilliant upbringing at a couple of top clubs, and we are so pleased to get his move done. Pathway is very important to him. That is one of the reasons why he is leaving Arsenal. He had a number of inviting options, but we are so glad that he chose us and sees us as the right step to take on his journey now.”