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Moussa Sissoko is reportedly close to rejoining Watford on a free transfer, two years after leaving Vicarage Road.

Sissoko is currently a free agent having seen his contract at FC Nantes come to an end earlier this summer. The 34-year-old though could be set for a surprise return to English football with reports that he could make a return to Watford to feature under former teammate Tom Cleverley.

Cleverley was appointed as permanent Hornets boss in April after initially taking charge of the club on an interim basis following the departure of Valerian Ismael. Cleverley’s task as permanent Watford manager will now be to help them improve on their 15th place finish in the Championship last season.

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According to reports from France, Sissoko, who made 133 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle United during his three-and-a-half years with the club, will undergo a medical ahead of a move to Watford in the coming days. After moving to Tottenham Hotspur for £30m in 2016 following Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, Sissoko would go on to help Spurs reach a Champions League final - although he may be most remembered for giving away a very early penalty during that match to help Liverpool on the way to victory.

Sissoko would spend five years in all at Spurs before moving to Watford in 2021. He would spend just one year there, however, before joining Ligue 1 side FC Nantes in the summer of 2022. Sissoko turns 35 in August and has been capped 71 times by the French national team.

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Newcastle United’s games against Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Wolves have all been moved for TV broadcast.

Newcastle United will begin their season with a traditional Saturday 3pm kick-off against newly-promoted outfit Southampton on August 17. However, the first set of TV picks mean they will have just one more Saturday 3pm kick-off between the first weekend of the season and end of September.

That will come against Fulham on September 21 with the Magpies set to face Marco Silva’s side at Craven Cottage on that afternoon. Elsewhere, however, Newcastle fans will have to deal with a fair amount of changes to fixture times.

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Their first away trip of the season will see Eddie Howe, Lloyd Kelly et al return to Bournemouth. That match will now take place on Sunday 25 August, kick-off at 2pm and will be shown on Sky Sports.

A week later, Newcastle host Spurs at St James’ Park. That game potentially marks Sandro Tonali’s return to action.

TV picks have once again seen that game be moved to Sunday 1 September. A kick-off time for that game is yet to be confirmed but it will be shown by Sky Sports.

An international break follows that match with Newcastle’s first game following that break coming at Molineux against Wolves on Sunday 15 September. That will kick-off at 4:30pm.

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Finally, after their trip to Fulham, Newcastle United host reigning champions Manchester City on Saturday 28 September. That match has been brought forward to a 12:30pm kick-off and will be broadcast by TNT Sports.

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Paul Mitchell is the man Newcastle United have selected to replace Dan Ashworth as the club’s new sporting director.

The former AS Monaco man will start immediately on Tyneside with his first task to help guide the club through the summer transfer window. Mitchell will bring with him a wealth of experience to Tyneside having worked in England and in Europe with the 42-year-old’s previous role coming at Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.

In a long process, one that saw Dan Ashworth spend a number of months on gardening leave before Newcastle United and Manchester United eventually came to an agreement over compensation, the Magpies have appointed their new sporting director and can proceed into the summer with him in situ. But just who is he and what can Newcastle United expect from their new sporting director? Here, we take a look:

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Who is Paul Mitchell?

Mitchell’s playing career came to an end in 2009 at MK Dons after being forced to retire due to injury. He would then take up a role as head of recruitment at the Dons - a role he would hold until 2012 when he joined Southampton.

After striking up a relationship with Mauricio Pochettino during his time in charge of the Saints, Mitchell would then follow the Argentine to Tottenham Hotspur before leaving in 2018 to join the Red Bull system.

A two-year stint in the Red Bull system was followed by being appointed as AS Monaco’s sporting director in June 2020. He would hold that role for over three years before leaving the French outfit in October.

What has Mitchell done in those roles?

During his career Mitchell has held a variety of roles, but has been a sporting director at just one place, Monaco, before being appointed to that role by Newcastle United. Mitchell has held a number of scouting roles and whilst he cannot take sole credit for these signings, his resume does boast a fantastic track record.

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At Spurs, he oversaw the signings of Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and Kieran Trippier - all three of which helped the north London outfit to a Champions League final. Previously at Southampton, Mitchell helped unearth stars like Sadio Mane and Toby Alderweireld and played a crucial role in helping the whole Red Bull system develop gems across Europe and in the USA.

Who was interested in Mitchell before his move to Newcastle United?

Manchester United were linked with a move for him, but opted instead to pursue a move for Ashworth after it became clear that Mitchell would not move to Old Trafford. He was also linked with Liverpool before they appointed Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes amid a backroom reshuffle following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

What has Darren Eales said?

Speaking about Mitchell’s appointment, Newcastle United’s CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to Newcastle United. He brings a successful track record and wealth of experience to the club.

“His extensive and diverse experience in football leadership, cultural change and recruitment mean he is the ideal person to lead our sporting directorate. We look forward to working with Paul and supporting him in our pursuit of long-term, sustainable success.”

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Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of a new sporting director following Dan Ashworth’s departure.

Paul Mitchell has been appointed in the role at St James’ Park after Newcastle agreed a compensation fee with Manchester United to release Ashworth from his contract.

Mitchell previously worked as AS Monaco's sporting director as well as head of recruitment at Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig. He was also behind Southampton’s recruitment strategy as The Saints were promoted to the Premier League in 2012 and remained competitive with several shrewd signings.

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Mitchell moved with Mauricio Pochettino over to Spurs in late 2014 and oversaw the signings of Dele Alli, Son Heung-Min and Kieran Trippier.

As a player, the 42-year-old spent time at Wigan Athletic and MK Dons in addition to various loan spells in the lower leagues. His career was cut short at age 27 due to injury.

Following his appointment, Mitchell told the club website: “It's with immense pride that I accept the responsibility of being Newcastle United's new sporting director.

“I’ve seen the recent growth and ambition of the club. This, plus the amazing fan base, made the decision to join an easy one.

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“I can’t wait to get started and help continue the organisation's growth and long-term competitiveness in all areas of elite football performance.”

Newcastle chief executive officer, Darren Eales, added: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to Newcastle United. He brings a successful track record and wealth of experience to the club.

“His extensive and diverse experience in football leadership, cultural change and recruitment mean he is the ideal person to lead our sporting directorate.

“We look forward to working with Paul and supporting him in our pursuit of long-term, sustainable success.”

Newcastle United finally ended any concerns over falling foul of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations over the weekend.

The respective sales of academy graduate Elliot Anderson and promising winger Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion were deeply disappointing but they allowed the Magpies to avoid the penalties handed out to Everton and Forest last season.

But what comes now for Newcastle as they look to move on from the disappointment of missing out on European football last season? Eddie Howe has already added to his squad with the additions of goalkeeping duo John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos, defender Lloyd Kelly and former loan signing Lewis Hall.

Kelly and Ruddy were both brought in on free transfers after their departures from Bournemouth and Birmingham City respectively - and there are a number of eye-catching names available should the Magpies look to exploit the free agent market for a third time this summer.