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Newcastle United fans on Twitter are not happy after the club announced they would be competing in the 2019 Premier League Asia Trophy.

The Magpies will be joined in the biennial pre-season tournament by current reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

This year’s edition of the tournament is designed to give Asian fans a rare close-up view of their favourite Premier League teams and stars.

The tournament will take place on mainland China in mid-July.

It’s the second time that Newcastle are competing in the competition and the first time in 16 years, but not all supporters are pleased about it.

One of the fanbase’s main issues is that their team are not yet safe from relegation to the Sky Bet Championship, currently a mere seven points above the bottom three, whilst another is that they see the venture as one more way for controversial owner Mike Ashley to line his pockets.

Check out those and some other negative reactions from the Toon Army below…

Does Newcastle’s infamous title collapse of 1996 mirror what is happening at Liverpool right now? The Magpie Channel discuss in the video below…

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Jack Clarke has returned to full first-team training with Leeds United, as reported by Sky Sports.

The 18-year-old winger has been out of action since being taken ill whilst on the bench in February’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. 

Prior to his absence, Clarke had been making waves in the Whites’ first team. The young attacker made his senior debut for Marcelo Bielsa’s side against Brentford in October and hasn’t looked back since. He made his first start for the club in their 2-0 over Derby County at Elland Road, and shone in that fixture.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

To date, the academy graduate has made 17 appearances for the club in all competitions, registering two goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt’s stats. 

His return will be a massive boost for Bielsa who will require all hands on deck at Leeds as they continue to chase the Championship title.

Leeds fans are certainly glad to have the forward on his way back, with many taking to Twitter to congratulate Clarke on his return to the fold…

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Raul Jimenez’s debut season in England has attracted a lot of attention after a number of excellent performances from the Mexican international.

The centre-forward arrived on a loan deal from Portuguese side Benfica back in the summer, and has since gone on to notch nine goals and record five assists in his 26 Premier League appearances. Whilst those numbers are decent, they aren’t up there with the league’s best, although the 27-year-old offers so much more than just finding the back of the net.

Wolves’ number nine uses his 6′ 2″ frame to great effect, winning the majority of his aerial duels and making clever, consistent runs into the channels to open up room for Diogo Jota to have a shot on goal.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

His first touch is also exemplary, and he is proving to have all the attributes to shine as a lone striker in this division.

Against Newcastle on Monday night, last season’s Championship winners looked fairly lost and struggled to play their usually effective game against the Magpies, with Jimenez also finding it difficult against Rafa Benitez’s defensively rigid side.

On a night where only a very late Martin Dubravka error helped Wolves get a point, the 27-year-old appeared to be the only man trying to make something happen in front of goal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

He had six shots, more than any of his teammates, but unfortunately for him and Wolves, only one of those was on target as he appeared to leave his shooting boots at home.

Whilst it wasn’t working for the Mexican up top, he showcased the many sides to his game with a number of attacking involvements that prove he is the focal point for Nuno. Jimenez embarked on five successful dribbles, and made an impressive three key passes – he was also fouled twice as Newcastle worked hard to nullify his impact going forward.

It was just one of those days for the newly-promoted side, and even then, they still managed to record a point which proves just how well they are doing at the moment; a lot of their good work can be put down to Jimenez and his relentless attacking play.

نفى محمد هاني لاعب الأهلي معرفته أي تفاصيل عن مفاوضات زميله السابق رمضان صبحي مع بيراميدز، والتي انتهت بالتعاقد بين الطرفين.

وانضم رمضان صبحي بعد انتهاء إعارته مع الأهلي من هدرسفيلد الإنجليزي إلى صفوف بيراميدز.

وقال محمد هاني خلال مداخلة هاتفية ببرنامج “الماتش” عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت”: “لم يكن لدي أي علم بالصفقة لأن المسألة كانت سرية بشكل كبير”.

وأضاف: “كنت أتمنى استمرار رمضان صبحي في الأهلي، خاصة أنه إضافة قوية ولاعب صاحب شخصية، لكنه في النهاية يتحمل نتيجة قراره”.

يُذكر أن رمضان صبحي شارك اليوم للمرة الأولى في تدريبات بيراميدز وبدأ الاستعداد معه للموسم الجديد.

Whilst Arsenal have endured a difficult season from a defensive point of view – the Gunners have already conceded 34 goals in the Premier League – their unfortunate luck with injuries has certainly played a part in that.

The north London side have had to make do without the likes of Kieran Tierney, Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac, amongst others, for a considerable amount of time this season.

It was therefore no surprise to see the Gunners complete a loan swoop for Flamengo centre-back Pablo Mari, and now, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, they are looking to complete a similar move for Southampton’s Cedric.

Watch Arsenal Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Ornstein claims Arsenal are hoping to sign him on loan until the end of the season, and that it will put them in “pole position” to make it permanent when he becomes a free agent in the summer.

After hearing about the report, Arsenal fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the matter, with a couple taking issue with the fact Cedric is currently injured.

Another couple of fans took aim at the board in particular, with one supporter even calling for them to be fired.

Some fans meanwhile discussed Ornstein’s claim that Southampton will be getting about £5m for the loan move.

Talk about trying to do some bargain deals in the January transfer window. Having missed out on Champions League football for yet another year this season, finances are no doubt tight at the Emirates. As a result, it’s been no surprise to see them shopping in the loan market this month.

Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Arsenal’s history in the January transfer window?

Having completed a deal for Mari, the Gunners could once again be making a shrewd move by finalising a swoop for Cedric. The Southampton man is Premier League proven with 120 appearances to his name in the competition. The north Londoners are doing some smart business, despite what some fans of the side may think.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s swoop for Pablo Mari can help unlock the true potential of this Arsene Wenger signing.

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Darren Moore could be about to lose Harvey Barnes, as Leicester City consider recalling the 21-year-old from his West Brom loan, per The Telegraph’s John Percy.

What’s the word?

Percy is claiming that West Brom are waiting to hear back from the Foxes, who are currently debating whether it would be beneficial to their season if the attacking midfielder returned to the King Power Stadium in January.

Barnes joined the Baggies in July on a season-long loan deal, and has since featured in 28 first-team fixtures for Moore’s side, including all 26 Championship ties to date.

The Foxes youth product has been a key figure at the Hawthorns since making his debut against Bolton on August 4, when he scored West Brom’s only goal of the game in a 2-1 defeat.

Barnes has since netted a further eight times and teed Albion teammates up six times, to contribute to 17 of his side’s total of 54 goals that is making Moore’s squad potential promotion candidates – the 21-year-old’s best run included four goals and three assists in seven games.

The Pl>ymaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

What next for WBA?

For now, all West Brom are able to do is sit and wait to hear back from Leicester, with a decision expected by the end of the week.

In the meantime, Moore will be preparing his side to face Norwich on January 12, with the Canaries currently second in the league behind Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.

If Moore is capable of overseeing a 14th win of the season, the Baggies would move level on points with Norwich, and eclipse the Carrow Road outfit by goal difference.

As for replacements, AEK Athens’ Petros Mantalos has again been linked with a move to the Hawthorns, having been targeted by the club in the summer.

Newcastle United’s Isaac Hayden has also been tipped with a move to Albion, but the Tyneside outfit have rejected the proposed deal for the defensive mid as Benitez wants to sign a replacement before letting the 23-year-old leave.

The Premier League season is eight games in, and unfortunately for Newcastle United it has been a miserable start to the campaign.

The North-East outfit are one of three clubs not to have won a single game, and it was heartbreak last weekend when Rafael Benitez’s side squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Manchester United.

In the summer, the manager experienced the same frustration from the previous year as he was in the dark over transfer funds.

In the end, Benitez recruited six new faces, who were a mixture of loan signings and permanent acquisitions.

Even though the club are yet to win a top-flight match this season, the fans have been happy with some of the club’s new additions.

In a poll we conducted, we asked supporters who they believe was Newcastle best signing of the summer, and now that the results are in, we have compiled a list of the top three…

3. Fabian Schar

The Magpies were not hugely short on defenders, but after Florian Lejeune suffered an injury, the position alongside Jamaal Lascelles was up for grabs.

Schar joined from Deportivo La Coruna for just under £4m, but had to wait to get his chance in the first team.

After the first two league matches, Schar featured against Chelsea in what ended up to be a 2-1 defeat.

The defender started the following game, which was an EFL Cup exit to Nottingham Forest, but since then he has not featured on the pitch as he tries to adapt to English football.

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2. Salomon Rondon

Losing Dwight Gayle meant that the Magpies needed to recruit someone who could help with the goal effort.

Rondon was the man Benitez secured, but only on a loan deal from West Bromwich Albion.

It has been a slow start for the Venezuelan as he has featured in just four of the club’s Premier League matches.

Unfortunately for the attacker, his figures have not been ideal as he has recorded just one goal and one assist in five outings in all competitions.

It looks as though he will have to fight his way back into the team, but the forward does present another option for Benitez.

1. Federico Fernandez

The 29-year-old was recruited along with Schar to bolster the backline, and even though the club have been on the wrong end of results, he has looked comfortable in the defence.

Fernandez has regularly partnered Lascelles this season and has started five of Newcastle’s eight league matches.

The Argentine has kept just one clean sheet, which was a goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

However, during Lejeune’s injury absence, Fernandez has been an experienced figure at the back for the Magpies.

View the results in full below

Leeds are absolutely desperate for a new goalscorer this summer, and reports suggest they are lining up a bargain swoop for Cheltenham sensation Mohamed Eisa.

What’s the story?

According to reports, Leeds have joined Portsmouth and Sunderland in the chase for Cheltenham’s Eisa.

The 24 year-old made the switch from non-league football to League Two last summer and grabbed 23 league goals in his first season with the Robins.

Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds have been clearing out a lot of the unwanted “dead wood” at Elland Road this season, and while he may not be enough to carry the goalscoring load alone, Eisa has tons of potential.

Sunderland made a bid of around £1m this week, but the League Two side will expect around £1.5m for a deal to be done, which could be a bargain for Bielsa.

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£1.5m well spent?

There were plenty of issues at Elland Road last season, but the biggest problem was the side was simply unable to score the amount of goals required to mount a promotion charge. Matej Vydra has been heavily linked this summer, but wage demands seem to have stalled that deal, and a bargain swoop for Eisa could actually be quite the coup.

The Sudanese born striker has absolutely electric pace, a surprising wiry strength, and at 6 ft tall he is good in the air as well. Most of all, he is wonderfully clinical in front of goal, where his stats speak for themselves.

He scored a combined 68 goals in 99 appearances with his last two non-league clubs, before firing in 23 goals in 45 League Two appearances last season. He also scored a hat trick in a pre-season game this week, and you can see the third goal here.

The 24 year-old has of course drawn comparisons to Jamie Vardy due to his breakout from the non-league game, and Leeds fans will no doubt remember Jermaine Beckford very fondly, who scored 71 league goals at Elland Road after making the jump from non-league.

Bielsa will almost certainly demand a marquee striker signing, and with just one year of professional football under his belt Eisa is not that. However, bringing Eisa in to compliment the new number nine would be an excellent coup, and he could become a cult hero at Elland Road. He can’t be any worse than Caleb Ekuban.

So, Leeds fans, would you like to take a gamble on the rising star? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…

Manchester United’s start to the English Premier League season couldn’t have gotten off to a better start on Sunday, thrashing visitors West Ham 4-0 at Old Trafford.

It was a statement of intent from Jose Mourinho’s men as they put the Hammers to the sword, with their new summer signings shining brightly throughout the 90 minutes.

Former Everton striker Romelu Lukaku grabbed the headlines with a superb double but the performance of Nemanja Matic also caught the eye with pundits and fans raving about his display in the middle of the park.

Watching those two do the business for direct title rivals couldn’t have been fun viewing for Chelsea supporters, many of whom have been scratching their heads thinking of reasons why Matic was sold to United. Lukaku is of course a former Blues player too and many fans fancied him to make a move back to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on it all…

Borussia Dortmund are set to hand Liverpool and former boss Jurgen Klopp a huge blow in the transfer market by winning the race for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Mahmoud Dahoud, German outlet Bild reports.

What’s the word?

Syrian-born German ace Mahmoud Dahoud has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League during recent transfer windows but it seems the Borussia Monchengladbach star will remain in the Bundesliga, as Borussia Dortmund edge closer to his services.

The 21-year-old has attracted a wealth of interest over the past 12 months, with TalkSport stating both Bayern Munich and Juventus also hold interest, but Dortmund are set to win the race- and could pay just £8.4m for the young talent.

It hands a huge hammer-blow to Liverpool, who will now need to look elsewhere in the market.

Why Dortmund?

With the World Cup just over a year away, Mahmoud Dahoud will have aspirations of breaking into Germany’s senior squad ahead of the international tournament and a switch to the Premier League may affect his chances, as he’d have to settle into the intensity of English football.

Remaining with Dortmund is therefore a safer choice and Dahoud can expert to be nurtured excellently by Klopp’s former side, who have a strong reputation for developing young talents and already boast the likes of Christian Pulisic, Ousmane Dembele, Emre Mor and Julian Weigl in their young contingent.

Dortmund could also face high-profile departures this summer, with both Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linked with exits, which will hand Dortmund money to spend and leave them with gaps in their squad to fill.

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