The Mag

We need a brand new Newcastle United stadium.

I have said this many times.

It needs to have a capacity that will allow youngsters in, as they are the lifeblood of any football club.

It also needs to be financially accessible to the working class folk who have stood loyally by the club, as well as those who walked away when Mike Ashley ran the club as an advertisement vehicle for his sports ware empire.

West Ham upped sticks and ditched their “legacy support” to move to the Olympic stadium for financial gain.

Back in the nineties, John Hall threatened to move our club to Gateshead with a proposed 75,000 seater stadium, in an attempt to get planning permission for a San Siro to be built on Leazes Park/Castle Leazes. This was met with opposition from a group called ‘Friends of Leazes Park’. Sounds like the Wood Craft Folk from Jesmond. For whatever reasons, the Halls and Shepherds instead decided to expand St James’ Park from 36,000 to 52,000.

A quarter of a century further on, we are stuck with a Newcastle United stadium that is not up to the standard that we need and not enough people can get into.

I was recently at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Enough said.

Everton will kick off next season in a brand new stadium (see above and below) built on Bramley Moore Dock.

Liverpool council accepted the development, despite the knowledge that the docks were a designated world heritage site, placing it alongside the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. The Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, said places such as Liverpool should not be left with a choice between maintaining heritage status, or regeneration and bringing in jobs.

This month, Spurs have been given the go-ahead to build a new training ground, despite campaigners arguing it would destroy a park.

According to The Guardian, rare wildlife species would be affected. The football club plans to fence off a section of Whitewebbs Park in Enfield, north London, and build a new women’s academy, with 11 pitches and a new clubhouse.

‘Of the area of the park leased and managed by Spurs, 66% will remain open to the public, but 18 hectares will be fenced off for new pitches and facilities for the women’s football academy.’

Enfield Council backing the plans as Tottenham will be using only part of the land and providing investment to vastly improve the remaining two thirds of the park that will still be open to the public.

This brings us back to St James’ Park.

A recent exclusive from The Telegraph reported that the Newcastle United hierarchy had decided on a preferred option of a brand new stadium that would sit on land that would start on part of where the Leazes End currently is, then go diagonally to cover where the club’s multi-story car park currently sits, then use part of Leazes Park land. Barrack Road wouldn’t be affected and the exclusive reporting that the plans would include Newcastle United financing investment in the rest of the local park area,, as well as creating extra park land to make up for the loss of Leazes Park land for the new stadium. The report saying that the Newcastle United hierarchy of senior staff, are expected to now present this plan for the brand new Newcastle United stadium as the preferred option for final approval.

Would anyone class Leazes Park as a World Heritage site? It was a place us kids went on the boats in the summer and splashed people with the oars.

Newcastle City Council and all other local politicians and key partners, need to get behind the club and get planning permission for that brand new Newcastle United stadium we can all get in, plus financially help the club to compete on and off the pitch.

The Sky Sports column ‘Jones Knows’ has given some interesting analysis and commentary on what is currently the position at Newcastle United.

The column makes predictions on what will happen at certain Premier League matches and also debates other matters/issues at clubs as well.

However, unlike the usual ex-pro predictions, that are usually simply based on how ‘big’ a club is and whether or not they won the previous game, this one has proper analysis and insight, not lazy assumptions.

The Sky Sports ‘Jones Knows’ column looks at the matches from a betting perspective and has been concentrating on this Newcastle United game away at Spurs.

Lewis Jones (who is the Sky Sports expert behind the ‘Jones Knows’ column) has highlighted some major underlying factors that could / should have a big bearing on this Spurs v Newcastle United game.

“Tottenham are performing way below their peak without some of their key men at the back and the market is expecting a Newcastle win such has been their imperious form, winning five on the bounce.

“I’m wary of jumping aboard at 5/4 with Sky Bet, though, as breaking up the Fabian Schar-Dan Burn partnership due to Schar’s suspension could disrupt them, especially against such a dangerous Spurs attack that have averaged 2.47 goals per game at home this season.

“In 2024 on the seven occasions when Newcastle played without one of Burn or Schar their win percentage (52 per cent to 28 per cent), goals conceded (1.5 to 1.9) and shots faced (13.5 to 16.9) all worsened from a per 90 perspective.

“There’s no way I’m trusting Spurs either though.

“But I do trust Dejan Kulusevski, arguably with my life. He has got nine goal involvements in his last nine starts at home and is Ange Postecoglou’s go-to-guy. His shoulders must hurt carrying this team.

“He’s evens to grab another goal or assist.

“Score prediction: 2-2.

“Best bet: Dejan Kulusevski to score or assist.”

An interesting take from the Sky Sports expert…

I think though worth looking at this, what he had to say ahead of the last Newcastle United match against Man U (then below that, about the Villa match):

“I’m swimming against the tide here and remain quite positive on Manchester United’s prospects under this manager, especially from a defensive point of view.

“The structure and organisation is so much more secure than under Erik ten Hag and may just lead to positive results…

“The expected goals data does suggest Ruben Amorim’s influence is already stabilising them slightly, albeit the results make that hard to believe. “I’ll put my crash helmet on and…

“Score prediction: Man U 1 Newcastle United 1”

The Sky Sports expert ahead of the Newcastle United match against Villa:

“If Villa play with their same swagger in midfield as they did against Manchester City then the 11/4 with Sky Bet on an away win could turn out to be a cracking bet. The axis of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara with Youri Tielemans playing advanced worked a charm with Tielemans especially flourishing in that role. Score prediction: Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 2″

I get the feeling that our mate from Sky Sports is licking his wounds AND his losses!

The Sky Sports expert is clearly desperate to convince himself that the serious upturn in Newcastle form is just a blip. Constantly talking up the opposition ahead of NUFC matches, looking for positive angles on Newcastle’s opponents, whilst also looking for supposed negatives from a United perspective.

Any result is possible in any match but after scoring 11 goals and only conceding one when thrashing Leicester, Brentford and Ipswich, surely these dominant latest two wins when outclassing Villa and Man U, scoring another five goals (deserved many more) and two clean sheets, points to this being a lot more than just a positive ‘blip’ in Newcastle’s season.

Fabian Schar is of course a class player BUT look at all the players Spurs are missing.

I last read it was a minimum of nine unavailable today AND that includes their first choice keeper and three of the usual starting back four!

Will Newcastle United collapse without Schar and suddenly be wide open for Spurs to exploit? Well, this run of five wins in a row has been built on the superbly performing midfield trio of Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton, they have controlled that area of the pitch. Spurs are missing midfield players as well today, including the suspended Bentancur. Certainly the comments I have read from Spurs fans, they appear to take for granted that Newcastle are going to dominate the middle of the pitch.

Eddie Howe will have to make that once enforced Schar change but if he chooses, it appears he will be able to start with the other 10 players who outclassed Villa and Man U.

As for missing Fabian Schar.

It is worth pointing out what the results were in the three tough early season matches that Schar missed, the only ones he hasn’t played in, this campaign. United got what looks now a great draw at Bournemouth (considering their other home results), won away at Forest (cup) and defeated… Tottenham at St James’ Park, Isak getting the winner. Three tough matches and yet Newcastle conceded only one goal in each without Schar, when NUFC weren’t playing anywhere near the levels they are now.

As for Dejan Kulusevski being the stand out (only?) Spurs player who could cause havoc against Newcastle. On Monday night it was clear that Eddie Howe had identified Diallo as the main/only Man U threat and United players swarmed around him whenever he got the ball, totally nullifying his threat.

There are no easy matches but every chance to believe Newcastle will make it six wins in a row if playing to recent levels.

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

This is how the Premier League form table looks on Thursday morning.

Worth a look for all Newcastle United fans.

Eddie Howe’s team now facing Spurs next in the Premier League.

A massive week double challenge in North London.

Saturday’s game at Spurs in the Premier League, then followed by Arsenal away in the semi-final first leg of the League Cup on Tuesday night.

First things first though before we get to dreams of Wembley, can Eddie Howe’s side make it six wins in a row (all competitions) away at Tottenham?

Here is the updated Premier League form table on Thursday, which covers the past six matches for all teams:

The last six PL results for Newcastle United with very latest one listed first:

Man U 0 Newcastle 2

Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0

Ipswich 0 Newcastle 4

Newcastle 4 Leicester 0

Brentford 4 Newcastle 2

Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3

As you can see, Newcastle United now in fourth place in this newly updated Premier League form table.

NUFC with thirteen points from four wins, one draw and just the one defeat, with sixteen goals scored and sevenconceded.

Forest are the only other team to have won their last four PL matches.

As for Saturday’s opponents, these are the last six PL matches that Spurs have played, the very most recent listed first:

Spurs 2 Wolves 2

Forest 1 Spurs 0

Spurs 3 Liverpool 6

Southampton 0 Spurs 5

Spurs 3 Chelsea 4

Bournemouth 1 Spurs 0

So Spurs fifteenth in the Premier League form table with four points from one win, one draw and four defeats, scoring thirteen and conceding fourteen.

Only Southampton and Man U have picked up fewer points in their last six PL matches.

This is how the full Premier League table currently now looks on Thursday 1 January 2025:

The Premier League form table very much reflects sums up the differing directions these two teams appear to be heading in.

The last four Newcastle PL matches seeing four wins, thirteen goals scored and none conceded.

Since winning 4-0 in their first home game in August, Tottenham have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 11 home matches in domestic competition.

Spurs haven’t won a Premier League match at home since the start of November, the five home matches since then have seen three defeats and two draws, with a massive 15 goals conceded in those five most recent home games.

The only question now is, can Eddie Howe and his players press home this advantage in class and form at Tottenham?

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Next Saturday is looking interesting, Alexander Isak and his Newcastle United teammates set to play away at Spurs.

I know we have Man U away on Monday night to come first.

However, the news coming out of Spurs is undoubtedly encouraging ahead of next weekend.

A defensive crisis that is ever worsening for Tottenham ahead of their home match against Wolves tomorrow (Sunday), before then Newcastle United six days after that…

Official Premier League site report on Tottenham defensive crisis – 27 December 2024:

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is dealing with an injury crisis, with a number of central defenders set to miss their next match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

First-choice pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are long-term absentees after both were injured in their first match back from injury this month against Chelsea and have missed Spurs’ last four matches in all competitions.

Ben Davies has suffered a setback and is out for another couple of weeks, while Radu Dragusin was forced off in the loss at Nottingham Forest.

“It’s a bit early to tell, he tweaked his ankle and felt like he couldn’t continue, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Postecoglou said when asked about Dragusin in his pre-match press conference. “We’ll wait until he gets in [for training] today.”

When asked on his defensive options Postecoglou replied: “Not many. We are in a tough spot. We have been for a while.

“We have been kind of getting through it for quite a while now and keeping our fingers crossed we don’t get any more issues.

“It is the nature of football and the fixture scheduling we have had, which means we have always been on a fine line of trying to get through. It is another test for us, but it is what it is. Whatever we need to deal with, we will deal with and be ready for Sunday.”

Who could Spurs play at centre-back?

Spurs’ 18-year-old versatile midfielder Archie Gray has been filling in at centre-back, starting the past five matches across all competitions there.

Dragusin has been partnering Gray but if he is out, then 19-year-old Alfie Dorrington may make a full Premier League debut. He has made one appearance in the competition after being part of Spurs’ Premier League 2-winning team of 2023/24.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma ended the match against Forest at centre-back and when Postecoglou was asked whether he would start there, he replied: “I don’t know. I mean Yves has never played there so I am not sure why I would put him there.

“I had to put him there last night because I had no one else, but we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”

Newcastle United have won their last four matches in domestic competition, whilst they have scored 19 goals in their last six games in Premier League and Carabao Cup, Alexander Isak with seven goals in these last half dozen matches.

Spurs have lost four of their last six domestic matches, the only exceptions a win at rock bottom Southampton and a chaotic 4-3 cup victory over a woeful Man U side, Tottenham doing their best to throw away a 3-0 lead. Whilst Spurs have conceded 15 goals in their last five games in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, conceding an incredible 13 goals in their last three home matches!

Obviously Newcastle United will still have to play well if they can hope to defeat Spurs next Saturday, however, the defensive issues for Tottenham are clearly a serious issue for them and their last four home Premier League matches have seen three defeats (including losing 2-1 to Ipswich) and a draw, whilst conceding 13 goals.

Former NUFC keeper Fraser Forster hasn’t exactly helped Spurs in recent matches, adding to their defensive chaos, with first choice keeper Vicario long-term injured. Richarlison is another player who is currently out for Spurs.

Newcastle United have their own injuries and suspensions to deal with but nice to see some favourable factors appearing to help NUFC in this run of away fixtures.

Fernandes and Ugarte suspended for Man U on Monday night, this Spurs defensive injury crisis ahead of next weekend, whilst Mikel Arteta has now revealed that their best and most dangerous player, Bukayo Saka, has had surgery and will miss both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

For Newcastle United to get three points against Spurs after such a poor home display, actually beggared belief.

Saying that, the two goals we did score by the Barnestormer and the Rolls Royce, were both sublime in their build up and execution.

Eddie Howe started with both Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon and I really liked the look of the side before kick-off.

I would have preferred Sandro Tonali in midfield ahead of Sean Longstaff but our manager sees these players every day in training and I don’t.

Before the game I had stated on The Mag that I didn’t have any qualms regarding our goalkeeping department. Yet against Spurs, Nick Pope had the demeanor of a man with a nervous disposition.

He made a couple of decent stops that I would have expected him to save anyway. Spurs’ equaliser though was very much a case of poor judgement, as Pope decided to parry the ball straight to the feet of Spurs substitute Brennan Johnson.

As the North London side began piling forward and the Toon’s midfield and rearguard continually made mistakes and gifted them the ball, all I could see coming was a second Tottenham goal.

Wor Graeme, Neale and Bernie were at St James’ Park (and Neale had dropped the Independent North Shields Supporters Association £3+ Grand charity jackpot on Saturday),

I was with Auld Ellas in Tynemouth Club and as the game wore on, the atmosphere was tense to say the least. No one was having a go at the team, but it was obvious that the locals were confused, as to why we were playing so deep and without any collective cohesion.

I often worry that Bruno Guimaraes takes a touch or two too many. When Sandro Tonali entered the fray he is the total opposite, prefers to zip the ball away to feet with the utmost precision.

With our backs to the wall it needed someone to grab the bull by the horns and who better than our strapping samba star Joelinton.

Picking the ball up midway in our own half on the left, he jinked inside and took the ball away from his marker so that he was in a central position and facing towards the Spurs goal.

With our forwards holding their line perfectly, Joelinton then found the inch perfect pass to split Tottenham’s high line.

Jacob Murphy, who had come on for Barnes, was away and as he entered the 18 yard box, he unselfishly laid the ball across for Alexander Isak to nudge in his first of the season.

I could hardly believe it after the way we had been playing. The club erupted and you could almost hear the collective sighs of relief as we all gathered our glasses to take a sip and gather our composure.

After the game finished I went hyem and reflected on what I had just watched. I came to the conclusion that we were bloody lucky BUT should finish above a tactically naive Spurs this season.

We are unbeaten so far at the beginning of this 2024/25 EPL season (two home wins and an away draw) and have knocked our Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest out of the Carabao Cup at the City Ground.

We have hardly got out of second gear in doing so and for once I’m going to welcome an international break.

Before I retreated to bed, I couldn’t get the Joboxers 1983 hit ‘Just got Lucky’ out of my head.

I was then informed that Wor Neale had left a substantial dropsy for me behind the bar at the Club.

Thank you bonnie lad, you are always there for me and I’ll see you on Saturday for Ma’s send off.

Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1 – Sunday 1 September 1.30pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Barnes 37, Isak 78

Spurs:

Burn OG 56

Possession was Newcastle 34% Spurs 66%

Total shots were Newcastle 9 Spurs 20

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Spurs 6

Corners were Newcastle 7 Spurs 12

Touches in the box Newcastle 14 Spurs 49

Newcastle United team v Tottenham:

Pope, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly (Hall 68), Joelinton, Bruno, Longstaff (Tonali 68), Barnes (Jacob Murphy 61), Isak, Gordon (Almiron 90+4)

Unused subs:

Dubravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Alex Murphy

(Match Report – I can think of worse ways to sign off your summer than beating Spurs… Read HERE)

(Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after win over Tottenham – Read HERE)

Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Well there you have it.

What used to be the annual Sky Sports transfer extravaganza, was all over again by 11pm.

The days of Jim White seem long gone, not that these days were ever enjoyable for long suffering Newcastle United fans under Mike Ashley.

Marc Guehi didn’t make the switch from Selhurst Park in South London to the much bigger park at St James’ in Newcastle. Leading up to the final day of the window, I think we all knew that this deal was a dead duck anyway.

Crystal Palace’s noisy fans rejoiced that “their Marc” will now get a move to a much ‘bigger’ club in the future, even though Marc Guehi will go for a hell of a lot less than what we were offering. Talk about knowing your place and being lackies to the Premier League Septic Six eh?

For what it’s worth, I 100% don’t think we will ever now see Marc Guehi wear our famous black and white stripes.

We now move on to the biggest game of of our opening three Premier League fixtures.

On Sunday we will entertain visitors Tottenham Hotspur, who just like us have aspirations and ambitions of a possible Champions League place.

I think this fixture is going to be a lot closer than it has been in the previous two seasons. They resulted in 6-1 and 4-0 thrashings of Spurs of course.

When it comes to the Newcastle team v Tottenham, I would like Eddie to start with both Flash (Anthony Gordon) and the Barnestormer (Harvey Barnes) in this game.

Our very own Rolls Royce Alexander Isak is due a goal and I’m backing him to open his account for the season against Spurs.

I am sure that Eddie will go with a midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. He’ll get no complaints from me if he does.

The back four is more difficult to predict but I’m going to stick my neck out and say Eddie might go with Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn and Lloyd Kelly.

That would leave Lewis Hall on the bench. ready to come on and bolster our left side if need be.

I would like to see Nick Pope be a little bit more commanding when dealing with crosses and set-pieces, but all in all, I’m happy with the goalkeeping situation.

It will be a handy tactic if Gordon and Barnes can frequently switch from left to right and vice versa. They are both two footed footballers, capable of going down the outside or cutting in on either channel.

I’m not sure about Spurs or their manager Ange Postecoglou if I’m honest. Spurs have been a puzzle to me for years and often flatter to deceive.

They are coming off the back of a 4-0 win against a hapless (or should that be hopeless) Everton side at the impressive Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Now that all the pre and early season dust is settling, the silly rumours have ended, and the summer transfer window is closed, I suddenly feel much more relaxed.

I still reckon we’re a canny team and nailed on for the top six. I haven’t been that impressed by what our rivals have done in the transfer window either, although most of them have been busier than us.

I’m going to go for a 2-1 Newcastle United win on Sunday with ‘Ice Cold’ Alex bagging a brace.

Enjoy the weekend.

There has been a new ‘exclusive’ published, an ‘update’ on former Newcastle United minority shareholder Amanda Staveley, set to potentially buy a minority share in Tottenham.

Interesting to look into this ‘exclusive’ a little closer…

For some time Spurs have been said to be looking for another investor to come in.

However, does this update have any credibility?

The Sun ‘Exclusive’ – 24 August 2024:

‘Amanda Staveley wants to buy stake in Tottenham with ex-Newcastle co-owner backed by ‘serious money’ from Middle East

Businesswoman wouldn’t have to give up Toon holding either thanks to little-know rule

Amanda Staveley is stepping up a bid to buy into Tottenham.

Sources say the former Newcastle co-owner is backed by “serious money” from the Middle East and wealthy individuals.

Tottenham are valued at £2.42billion by global media company Forbes.

And a deal for 25 per cent of the club could cost Staveley about £650m.

Spurs are open to investment and there would not even be a need for Staveley to dispose of her Newcastle shares first.

Her holding at St James’ Park is under the 9.9 per cent limit for having a stake in TWO clubs.’

This looks very much just a simple barely disguised rehash of the story we covered seven weeks ago (see below), when Bloomberg reported in mid-July that Amanda Staveley could be the public face of investors willing to buy a chunk of Tottenham.

However, the only part of this ‘exclusive’ above that bears any kind of supposed new information, is that Amanda Staveley could keep her Newcastle United shareholding AND own shares in Tottenham.

The only ‘slight’ problem with this new ‘exclusive’ information, is that as was well publicised last month, the Amanda Staveley Newcastle United shareholding no longer is a factor. Her shareholding was taken by the other two shareholders and now Saudi Arabia PIF own 85% of Newcastle United, the Reuben family 15%.

The Mag report – 18 July 2024:

‘It is now reported that Amanda Staveley is looking to lead an investment in another Premier League club.

This follows Friday’s announcement that she is cutting all ties with Newcastle United.

It is stated now that Amanda Staveley has raised half a billion through backers.

The exclusive from Bloomberg (see below) says that the Premier League club targeted in particular is Tottenham, with initial talks claimed to have taken place with an adviser to Spurs, to buy an initial minority stake in the London club.

Bloomberg report – 18 July 2024:

‘Amanda Staveley, who has stepped down from the board of Newcastle United, is searching for her next football investment, with stakes in Tottenham Hotspur among the possible targets she’s exploring.

Staveley has recently raised about £500 million ($649 million) through her investment fund PCP Capital Partners and has been looking at a number of football clubs to deploy the cash, according to a person familiar with the matter. It’s unclear who the backers are. Staveley is well-connected in the Gulf region.

Tottenham Hotspur, which came fifth in the last Premier League season, is one of the clubs on Staveley’s radar. She has held initial discussions to buy a minority stake with Rothschild & Co., an adviser to Tottenham, the person said. A deal, if any, is likely to involve convertible preference shares, the person said. Other potential targets being studied include AS Monaco, which compete in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football, the person said, who asked not to be identified as the information is private.’

In 33 days time, Newcastle United meet Tottenham in their third Premier League fixture of the season.

Newcastle fans hoping to see Eddie Howe carry on his St James’ Park form against the North London club, 6-1 and 4-0 these past two seasons in the same fixture.

However, an interesting off the pitch story ahead of that match.

Well actually two stories in the media which can be very much linked.

On Monday, Bloomberg ran a report (see below) that informed us that Newcastle United now had a valuation of more than £1billion.

Some people cast doubt on that valuation, with the new/current Newcastle United owners having taken over a shambles from Mike Ashley back in October 2021.

However, as we pointed out on The Mag, you only have to look around at some of the valuations on other Premier League clubs, to see that a current £1billion+ valuation on Newcastle United is anything but a fantasy AND that there is enormous scope for that figure to go far far higher, if NUFC ends up successful on and off the pitch.

This point perfectly backed up this Tottenham story now also reported, a minority stake in Spurs seemingly set to be sold AND that could see Tottenham then valued at around the £3.75billion mark.

The Times report on Tottenham potential minority stake sale:

‘Tottenham Hotspur is in talks to sell a minority stake in a deal that could value it at up to £3.75 billion and pave the way for Joe Lewis and his family to sever ties with the Premier League football club.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is seeking an investment that values the club at between £3.5 billion and £3.75 billion, including debt. While the terms of any deal have not been finalised, City sources expect Spurs to sell about 10 per cent. The club is being advised by bankers from Rothschild on the sale.

Tottenham wants to raise fresh capital for new player signings and to help fund the development of an academy for its women’s team, as well as a 30-storey hotel next to its north London stadium.

The development of its 62,850-capacity stadium has greatly enhanced Tottenham’s attractiveness to potential investors. As well as bringing in annual gate receipts of £117 million, the ground has hosted concerts by several top music stars including Beyoncé and Travis Scott, as well as NFL matches.

The stadium’s development has saddled the club with £851 million of debt, albeit mostly fixed at rates of 2.79 per cent.’

Bloomberg report on Newcastle United valuation – 29 July 2024:

‘Newcastle United is now valued at over £1 billion ($1.3 billion), after its Saudi owners increased its holding by buying former owner Amanda Staveley’s stake, according to people familiar with the situation.

The current valuation of Newcastle puts the team at roughly the same valuation as seven-time European winner AC Milan, which was sold by Elliott Management Corp. in 2022 to Redbird Capital Partners for $1.3 billion.

Newcastle’s Chief Executive Officer Darren Eales recently told the club’s TV station that revenues have soared north of £300 million.

“The revenues have been rising and it’s incredible to see… but we’re still behind the big six so we know that if we’re going to be competing and punching above our weight, how we use our resources is really important.”

Whilst £305m was paid to Mike Ashley back in October 2021, the Newcastle United owners have six times (see below) injected cash into the club, since then.

This is nothing unusual with a football club, indeed any business, which has been starved of proper investment and left a virtual shell by the original owner of 14+ years. Money needed to be spent after takeover to get Newcastle United back on its feet and be successful on and off the pitch, the idea of course is that in the future the owners will reap the rewards, with a far more valuable business/football club.

The £305m paid to Mike Ashley on 7 October 2021, has been followed by these six cash injections by the new/current owners totalling £302.9m, almost as much as the original purchase price. This takes the overall investment in the club to £607.9m.

The breakdown of where this £607.9m figure comes from:

Whilst countless lazy media have claimed the only reason for buying Newcastle United was allegedly ‘sportswashing’, the reality is that as they and the Reuben family have indicated, it was a brilliant investment opportunity at what could be a seriously successful business/football club that had been run into the ground.

With at least £607.9m already invested in their asset, it is no surprise if indeed the Newcastle United owners are already sitting on a business now worth well over £1billion.

You just need to look at what other major Premier League clubs have been sold for an/or are valued at, to see what the potential is at Newcastle United.

If the Saudi Arabia PIF and Reuben family get it right, with success on and off the pitch their investment will end up valued many time worth what they have put in.

More details on trip Down Under - Newcastle United official statement

Now reported - Spurs v Newcastle United friendly scheduled to be played in Australia