Newcastle could hijack Tottenham’s bid for talented CB as release clause goes public

Accoring to Alan Nixon at The Sun, Newcastle have joined the race to sign Blackburn centre-back Ashley Phillips.

The 18-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham. However, it’s believed they are waiting until the player’s £2m release clause becomes active on Friday.

With the buyout option not yet in place, Nixon reports that Rovers are now demanding in excess of £9m for the England youth international; just when Spurs thought they’d struck a deal at a considerably lower fee.

Tottenham have the option to match that asking price and secure a deal before the likes of Newcastle swoop in, but it seems they’ve scoffed at Blackburn’s demands and may wait until next week; where he’ll be available for just £2m.

The 6ft 4′ defender would very much be one for the future, yet it’s easy to see why we’re interested when the England U19 star made 14 appearances at senior level under former Toon striker Jon Dahl Tomasson last season.

Phillips is training with Blackburn ahead of Saturday’s Championship opener against West Brom, but it’s ‘unlikely’ he’s risked, with all parties fully expecting him to leave over the coming weeks.

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Newcastle United unwilling to pay £40 million to sign Valentino Livramento

Newcastle United are not ready to fork out £40 million for Valentino Livramento.

According to Dean Jones on GiveMeSport, Premier League side Newcastle United are unwilling to pay up the £40 million needed to sign Southampton star Valentino Livramento this summer transfer window.

The young defender left Chelsea for St. Mary’s Stadium in the summer of 2021 and has shown several instances of his prodigious talent. However, an injury-ravaged 2022/23 campaign has taken him out of the limelight. In his two years at the coastal club, Livramento has made 34 appearances across all fronts, scoring once and assisting four times.

Just 20, the English wide man still has several years to fulfil his potential. Right now, he needs to focus on ensuring that his injury concerns are a thing of the past. Despite suffering the indignation of relegation, Livramento is attracting serious interest from the Premier League.

Newcastle United have been long-term admirers of the player and have failed with a £30 million bid this summer. Southampton are holding out for £40 million, an amount that the Geordies are unwilling to sanction.

Livramento is primarily a right-back who can also push forward when needed. A solid dribbler who is strong in tackling, the Englishman is a well-rounded player who can impact proceedings at both ends of the pitch.

Newcastle United are a team on the rise and have qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League Group Stage. Buoyed by securing a seat at Europe’s top table, the Magpies have added Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes to their roster. Both players could go on to become key players for Eddie Howe in the seasons to come.

Kieran Trippier is the club’s first-choice right-back and is one of the best players in the league in the position. While Livramento is unlikely to get the nod from the start, he will give the veteran skipper a run for his money and continue to evolve without being thrust into the spotlight.

The player, too, will be aware that he will be swapping regular playtime at Southampton to playing a secondary role at St. James’ Park. One can understand Newcastle United’s reluctance to pay through the nose given that Livramento is far from a sure starter.

Also Read: One in, one out: Are Newcastle United upgrading with Harvey Barnes?

As things stand, Chelsea’s buyback option for the player is £38 million, a figure that is closer to Southampton’s £40 million asking price. It will be interesting to see whether it will be the Saints or the Magpies who blink first in the coming weeks.