Newcastle have NO buy-back clauses in the contracts of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, Confidential can reveal.
Anderson's excellent form of late with third-placed Nottingham Forest has led fans to wonder whether Newcastle included a provision to buy back their academy graduate at a future date. However, we understand that no such clause exists, nor does it exist in the deal that brought Minteh to Brighton over the same June weekend.
Newcastle were not negotiating from a position of strength on either transfer, as they needed to sell to avoid breaching the Profit and Sustainability Rules, which would have led to a points deduction.
Indeed, while Anderson was sold for £35m, that was on the condition that Newcastle paid around £20m for goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos to move in the opposite direction. Winger Minteh left for Brighton for £33m and, combined, the deals satisfied the PSR's calculation.
Anderson has been outstanding in recent weeks and a Premier League XI from the first half of the season, according to statistics and compiled by Sky Sports, had the 22-year-old in its midfield.
It remains a source of regret among staff and players that Anderson had to be sacrificed, and his performances at the City Ground have only intensified that sense of loss.
Newcastle have no buyback clauses for Elliot Anderson, pictured, and Yankuba Minteh
Minteh, center, was sold to Brighton for £33m to help Newcastle meet PSR calculations
Anderson has been outstanding this season and it remains a shame that he had to be sacrificed.
NEW TRAFFORD SCOUTING MISSION
Newcastle have sent head of recruitment Steve Nickson to check on James Trafford, but a bid for the Burnley goalkeeper is not expected in January.
Confidential reported last month that the club will attempt to sign the 22-year-old in 2025. Eddie Howe and the recruitment staff are said to agree that the Cumbrian has the attributes and profile with which they want to compete and eventually succeed the number 1. Nick Papa. Its distribution is a point of special attraction.
And we can reveal that Nickson has been present for recent matches, including Burnley's goalless draw at Middlesbrough on December 29. Trafford kept a clean sheet that day and was especially good with his feet.
Sources say it is almost certainly not a deal this month, but it will be reviewed come summer. Newcastle came close to signing the England Under-21 star in August.
Meanwhile, Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that the club will try to persuade Martin Dubrvaka to stay beyond January. There is an offer on the table from Saudi Arabia and the Slovakian has indicated that he wants to leave. But Newcastle want to keep him given he is currently first choice (Pipe is sidelined with a knee injury) and is playing extremely well.
On that, Pope is not yet training and, while he is expected to return around Bournemouth's home game on January 18, he will still have to prove his fitness when he returns to full training at Benton.
Newcastle still eyeing James Trafford but no move expected in January
Trafford is considered to have the characteristics to compete and succeed Nick Pope.
ISAK IS FINE!
Alexander Isak is unlikely to play against Bromley this weekend as Eddie Howe rotates his squad, but it is understood the hamstring problem he felt at Arsenal on Tuesday will not keep him out of Premier League games. of next week.
Isak complained of tension at half-time during the 2-0 win at the Emirates and was taken off just after the hour mark. It was an attempt to protect the Swede and it is believed that an injury that would cause him to miss games has been avoided.
Likewise, Sven Botman felt tightness in his groin during the first half but managed to complete the entire match. Newcastle are hopeful he will also be fit for Wednesday's visit of Wolves, followed by the home game against Bournemouth three days later.
I spoke briefly to one of Botman's teammates after Tuesday's game and he was surprised at how well he had played given that it was only his second game after 10 months out with a knee injury. The respect for the Dutchman in the dressing room is very high and this was demonstrated when half a dozen players from the senior team attended his return with the under-21s last month.
The centre-back will also be rested for Sunday's FA Cup tie, when Fabian Schar is likely to partner Lloyd Kelly at centre-back.
The hamstring problem that Alexander Isak felt at Arsenal will not keep him out of next week's games
A teammate was amazed by Sven Botman's performance as soon as he returned from injury.
KRAFU IS BACK!
Another good news in the field of fitness is the return to training of Emil Krafth.
Eddie Howe said last week that the Swede was on the grass but not yet in contact training. He has been out since November after breaking his collarbone.
However, I'm told Krafth has now stepped up his return and, with three home games in seven days next week, will get some minutes against Bromley on Sunday.
The defender was in superb form before he was injured and was living up to his nickname 'Krafu'.
A GOOD NIGHT BUT LATE
It was late at night for the Newcastle contingent who returned from Arsenal on Tuesday. The Samson Executive Jet Center they normally return to was closed, which meant landing on Teesside and then taking a bus back to Tyneside. Most went to bed after 3 in the morning.
Eddie Howe has given the players a couple of days off, so many have stayed in London before heading elsewhere. It's well deserved given his remarkable seven-game winning streak.
And as for travel, Howe might not have liked the scenes on the trains returning from London on Wednesday morning. It was more like a travel agency as fans booked hotels and trains for the Carabao Cup final in March!
But as Howe told full-time assistant Jason Tindall after the 2-0 win over Arsenal… 'Calm down, calm down!'
Emil Krafth has stepped up his comeback and is expected to get some minutes against Bromley.
Eddie Howe has given the players a couple of days off after the victory in the first leg of the semi-final.
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BRAZ-AL!
A small moment that you may have missed following Newcastle's 2-1 win over Tottenham last weekend.
As captain Bruno Guimaraes left the field, he raised his fist and roared at what appeared to be the home fans. It wasn't, it was Alan Shearer on the touchline!
The Toon legend was working as an expert and enjoyed the moment of celebration with the Brazilian, returning the recognition.
But the celebration of the week is for Bruno and his son, dancing in their living room and singing 'Newcastle, Newcastle' after the victory at Arsenal, for which he was suspended.
ROMAN INTEREST IN THE RUINS?
Newcastle face the prospect of missing out on Millwall's Romain Esse this month.
Scouts have watched the 19-year-old midfielder and winger in the Championship this season.
However, sources in London say Crystal Palace want to get a deal done now and have contacted Millwall.
My information remains that Newcastle are highly unlikely to do anything on the incoming front in the coming weeks. Only an injury would change that.
Bruno Guimaraes punched and roared at Alan Shearer after the victory at Tottenham
Newcastle face losing Millwall's Romain Esse as Crystal Palace push for deal
CARTOON ADVANCE!
It's time for the Toon trailer. Last week's question was: Can you name the 13 players who have played for Newcastle and Coventry since 1992? The answers were; Craig Bellamy, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, Darren Huckerby, Patrick van Aanholt, Adam Armstrong, Leon Best, Gael Bigirimana, Kevin Gallacher, Brian Kerr, Micky Quinn, Peter Ramage and Jamie Sterry.
This week's puzzle is… can you name the NINE players who have played for Newcastle and Hull since 1992? Good luck!