Newcastle hoping to push through club-record deal for AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali
Newcastle are hoping to push through a club record-breaking deal for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali within days, the PA news agency understands. Sporting director Dan Ashworth has been pictured in the Italian city after he flew out to try to negotiate the terms of a move which it is understood would exceed the club’s £60million swoop for Sweden striker Alexander Isak last summer. Reports from Italy have suggested the 23-year-old, who is expected to captain his country in their opening Group D fixture against France at the European Under-21s Championships on Thursday evening, has agreed to the switch. A successful conclusion to the talks would take Newcastle’s transfer spending under their new owners past the £300million mark. Head coach Eddie Howe has identified Tonali as the holding midfielder he needs to allow Bruno Guimaraes in particular to thrive in an advanced role. Howe has vowed to strengthen his squad for the new campaign, during which the Magpies will play Champions League football for the first time since the 2002-03 season, as he attempts to challenge on both the domestic and European fronts. The 45-year-old guided the club to a fourth-place Premier League finish and the Carabao Cup final last season as they took a major step forward, but he is expecting a response from the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea this time around in the race for the top four. Howe has been at pains to point out the spending restrictions under which the club must operate, but at the same time has signalled his intention to recruit quality rather than quantity this summer. Tonali, who was a substitute in the senior Italy side’s 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifier defeat by England in March, made 48 appearances for Milan in all competitions last season and started both legs of their Champions League semi-final defeat by city rivals Inter. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-22 23:59
Fortress Investment Group may acquire bankrupt Vice Media - NYT
A group of buyers including Fortress Investment Group is set to take over Vice Media after offering $225
2023-06-22 23:58
Egypt Climate Bond May Get Vital Guarantee From Asian Bank
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a multilateral development bank, is in talks to guarantee a climate-related bond being
2023-06-22 23:56
Brazil traders hold bets on August interest rate cut despite doubts
BRASILIA Brazilian financial markets on Thursday showed many traders still betting the central bank will kick off a
2023-06-22 23:54
Bud Light rolls out a new ad campaign to turn around slumping sales
Bud Light is trying to revive its slumping brand with a new marketing campaign aimed at -- appropriately -- overcoming adversity.
2023-06-22 23:51
New orders and supply chain progress as Paris Airshow grapples with pandemic aftermath
By Tim Hepher, Valerie Insinna, Joanna Plucinska and Allison Lampert PARIS The first Paris Airshow in four years
2023-06-22 23:50
Utility’s Mystery 952% Rally Prompts Polish Regulator Probe
The Polish Securities Commission is investigating potential insider trading in the shares of utility EC Bedzin SA after
2023-06-22 23:49
Greta Thunberg says France targeting climate activists
PARIS Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said on Thursday that campaigners were being "systemically targeted with repression" in
2023-06-22 23:49
Government and PFA want review of pitch perimeter safety after serious injury
The Government and the Professional Footballers’ Association have called for a review of pitch perimeter safety after a non-league player suffered a serious injury last season. A letter has been sent by Sports Minister Stuart Andrew and PFA chief executive Maheta Molango to the chief executives of the Premier League, the EFL, the National League and the Football Association in a bid to avoid a repeat of what happened to Alex Fletcher. The 24-year-old required emergency brain surgery after he suffered a fractured skull colliding with an advertising board reinforced with concrete blocks in a match for Bath last November. The letter, seen by the PA news agency, calls on leagues and the FA to be more proactive in setting guidance and expectations for clubs in this area, and also to involve players in risk-assessing the pitch perimeter, given they have the best idea of what the dangers are. It asks the authorities to review whether lessons can be learned from the serious player collisions which have taken place and make improvements where necessary to ensure playing areas are as safe as possible. It is believed to be the first letter of its kind between the Government and the union, and the hope is that the timing of the letter – between seasons when stadium upgrades tend to take place – could be advantageous. PFA director of external affairs Ben Wright said: “After the incident where Alex Fletcher was so badly injured, we met with the Minister to highlight what we felt was a lack of clarity over the regulations that are in place to ensure player safety. “Although safety is ultimately the responsibility of the stadium owner, the PFA’s view is that the direction given to clubs in this area is not as strong as it could be. Collectively, football should do everything it can to make sure incidents like Alex Fletcher's don’t happen. This is a step in the right direction and we appreciate the Minister's support. PFA director of external affairs Ben Wright “We’re pleased that the Minister wants to see the leagues and the FA take a bigger role in ensuring player safety. “They are able to give guidance, share best practice and set an expectation that clubs will be proactive in their approach. “As part of that, we want clubs to work with players to identify potential risk factors that those who aren’t on the pitch every week might not necessarily see. “It’s the time of the year where clubs take the opportunity to do work on stadiums ahead of the new season, so it’s a good opportunity for them to think about this. “Collectively, football should do everything it can to make sure incidents like Alex Fletcher’s don’t happen. This is a step in the right direction and we appreciate the Minister’s support.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live CAS: Impossible to put timescale on final decision in Kamila Valieva doping case Ellyse Perry a thorn in England’s side as rain leads to early tea on opening day Wrexham to host former finalists Wigan on Carabao Cup return
2023-06-22 23:47
Boeing supplier shuts down plant after workers vote to strike
Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier to Boeing, shut down its factory in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday after workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted to strike.
2023-06-22 23:19
Supreme Court limits federal prisoners' ability to bring some post-conviction challenges
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction of a federal prisoner who argued he should be able to challenge his 27-year sentence for firearms possession based on changes in the law since his trial.
2023-06-22 23:18
Bournemouth near second signing of the summer window
Bournemouth close on the £11m signing of Justin Kluivert after seeing off competition from Fulham, Crystal Palace and Everton. The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Valencia.
2023-06-22 23:16
