Newcastle United loan exit confirmed as ex-Magpies star ‘approached’ by Saudi Pro League side

Newcastle United have confirmed the departure of midfielder Joe White on a season-long loan to League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra.

The 20-year-old spent part of the 2021-22 season on loan with Hartlepool United before making 16 appearances during a temporary stint with Exeter City last term.

Crewe have won just one of their opening five league games this campaign, drawing three while losing the other one.

A Newcastle statement confirmed: “Newcastle United midfielder Joe White has joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a season-long loan. The Carlisle-born youngster has linked up with Lee Bell's men and will stay at the Mornflake Stadium until the end of the current campaign.

“It will be White's third loan spell away from St. James' Park, with the 20-year-old having spent time at Hartlepool United during the second half of 2021/22, where he made 16 appearances.

“Last term, he stepped up to League One to join Exeter City, enjoying a further 16 outings for the Grecians. White could make his bow for the Railwaymen when they take on MK Dons on Saturday afternoon.”

Meanwhile, former Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is the latest player from Europe to be linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq reportedly approaching the player over a possible move.

The former Liverpool captain has already signed Jordan Henderson for his Saudi Pro League side and now, according to Fabrizio Romano, he is also eyeing up a move for Wijnaldum as he is ‘out of the PSG project.’

Taking to Twitter, the transfer expert posted that Al-Ettifaq ‘have approached’ the Dutchman over a ‘potential late move’ as the summer deadline edges closer.

“Negotiations ongoing, PSG are ready to give the green light. Up to the player. Steven Gerrard wants Gini,” Romano wrote.

The Dutchman joined the Magpies on a five-year deal from PSV for a reported £14.5m in July 2015. Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship saw the midfielder signed by Liverpool for an initial £23million 12 months later. He left Anfield as a free agent in the summer of 2021 before joining PSG.