Newcastle United handed ‘contract blow’ amid ‘battle’ with Arsenal for midfielder

Newcastle United fans will be desperate for the return of Premier League football after a superb start to the season.

The Magpies went into the World Cup break in third place, and they are now just three weeks away from a return with the World Cup nearly at the quarter-final stage. Eddie Howe and his men are now stepping up their preparations, and the squad are just six or so hours away from Qatar in Saudi Arabia in a bid to replicate the warm conditions of pre-season.

In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding St James’ Park.

Harrison blow

Newcastle’s hopes of landing Leeds United star Jack Harrison could be ended once and for all.

According to Leeds Live, negotiations between Leeds and Harrison over a new contract are now ‘advancing’, potentially meaning the winger becomes unattainable ahead of January, and indeed the summer. The Magpies tried to sign Harrison last summer, but Leeds stood firm, not wanting to lose the wideman after selling Raphinha.

Harrison is already under contract until 2024, but he looks set to extend his Elland Road stay, while receiving a pay bump to recognise his growth in the last year or so.

Sow interest

Newcastle are said to be keen on a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow.

Bild report Howe wants to add depth to his midfield, and that Newcastle, along with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are interested in securing a deal. But it’s also claimed that Frankfurt do not want to do a deal in January, and that all of those clubs may have to wait until the summer to strike a deal.

From the summer, Sow - who is currently with Switzerland at the World Cup - will have just a year remaining on his lead, increasing the likelihood of Frankfurt selling next summer if they can’t agree a new contract.