'He can turn into one of the continent's most important players'
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The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
Eddie Howe's Newcastle admission opens door to Alexander Isak exit
Eddie Howe has reiterated he is keen to keep Alexander Isak at Newcastle but has now admitted he cannot guarantee the striker will stay this summer. Isak is missing Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia with what the club described as a minor thigh injury but after he asked to be able to explore his options of a move. Liverpool had made an inquiry for Isak, though they also went on to sign the Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike, while Arsenal are other admirers of his and Al-Hilal are reportedly willing to give him a lucrative contract. Howe admitted that Isak, who has three years left on his current deal, is not in talks about a new deal with Newcastle but underlined that he hopes his top scorer remains at St James' Park, with the club facing a difficult decision. "He is now in Newcastle getting his injury assessed,' said Howe, who is in Singapore, preparing for a friendly against Arsenal on Sunday. 'Hopefully, he will be back soon and playing in the black and white shirt, that's what we want to see. "Of course, there are things going on behind the scenes. Conversations that happen between Alex and ourselves and Alex and the club will stay private. "He is very popular in the dressing room and would love him to continue to his journey at Newcastle. There are no contract talks taking place, that will be for a later date, potentially. I certainly hope he stays. It's football, who knows what the future will bring." Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season, after 21 the previous year, and would be expected to command a price of over £100m. Howe suggested Isak would not be sold on the cheap but did not put a deadline on when the situation has to be resolved. "Whatever happens, has to be right for Newcastle. We are in a strong position financially and are determined to be successful," Howe added. "There are always big decisions to make when you are at Newcastle. I have experienced it many times. I've sold players throughout my managerial career. There is a wider picture; there is a football club that has to make the decision. "I wouldn't put a timescale on it. It has to be right for the football club and they will make the right decision with all the information they have. "It's up to us to make good decisions the other way and to improve the squad, regardless of Alex's situation. We want stability and the group to have a really good feeling. I don't think we are distracted. We are here and we are focused."
Scottish Sun
7 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Marcus Rashford's on-off romance with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi from LA engagement to Barcelona reunion
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MARCUS RASHFORD not only sealed his dream move to Barcelona this week but also his reunion with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi. The forward has joined the LaLiga giants from Manchester United on a loan with an option to buy for the 2025/26 season. 9 Marcus Rashford has rekindled his relationship with Lucia Loi Credit: Getty 9 She was often seen at games supporting the forward Credit: Getty 9 Rashford and Lucia started dating when they were at school Credit: lucialoi/instagram 9 However, their relationship has not been plain sailing Credit: Getty Rashford, 27, will be hoping the move to Spain can see him regain the form that made him one of the best in the Premier League. And he will have plenty of support from the pitchside from partner Luica. She was present while Rashford took part in his Barcelona photoshoot before his unveiling at the Camp Nou. SunSport understands that the Red Devils exile asked Lucia, 26, to help him settle in Spain to allow him to focus on football. They were spotted together at the recording of his Barcelona announcement video. PR guru Lucia could be seen taking a picture of Rashford and checking his new shirt. The couple first met while they were attending Aston on Mersey School in Manchester. They were in a relationship as Rashford made his stunning debut for Man United in the Europa League against FC Midtjylland in February 2016. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN It was a memorable match for the forward as he marked his competitive debut with a brace during the 5-1 win at Old Trafford. The relationship hit a rocky patch in 2021 during the Covid pandemic as they split, but only to reconcile the next year. Barcelona announce loan signing of Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford In June 2022, Rashford proposed to Lucia with a £250,000 engagement ring after enjoying a romantic meal at Catch LA in West Hollywood, California. He shared a picture of the moment on social media, which showed the pair sharing a kiss. The smooch was snapped as they stood in front of a stunning heart-shaped flower arrangement. Lucia was a regular backer of Rashford as she was often spotted in the Old Trafford stands cheering him on. 9 The couple got engaged in 2022 Credit: Instagram 9 Rashford proposed in West Hollywood, California Credit: INstagram 9 Lucia was spotted with Rashford as he recorded content with Barcelona Credit: x 9 Rashford has joined the Spanish giants on loan Credit: Getty However, their engagement ended in June 2023 after the England international was seen with a model outside a Miami hotel. At the time, SunSport exclusively revealed that they broke up because the relationship had "run its course". Lucia had gone on a social media blackout but returned the following month by leaving her "social media grave". The couple stayed in contact and even had dinner in Manchester later that year. Rashford was at the time romantically linked to model and former Love Island contestant Grace Jackson, but that is believed to have ended in December 2023. A source has said that despite the fizzling of their engagement, they have continued to remain friends and have grown close again. They added: "Marcus knows that some of the best moments in his career have occurred when Lucia has been at his side. "They got together when they were very young and have had ups and downs, but a friendship has always remained. 9 "He knows that she is good for him and she is one of the few people in the world he knows has got his best interests at heart. "She is very sensible and helps keep him grounded." Meanwhile, Rashford will be the first England international to wear Barcelona colours since Gary Lineker. The former Match of the Day host played there for three years between 1986 and 1989. And he has been rewarded with the club's iconic No.14 shirt that has previously been worn by the likes of Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry.
Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Hugo Ekitike explains why he wore a Steven Gerrard shirt before signing for Liverpool
Liverpool new boy Hugo Ekitike has opened up on viral images that showed him wearing a classic Steven Gerrard shirt ahead of his transfer from Frankfurt this week Hugo Ekitike has revealed that pictures of him wearing a classic Steven Gerrard jersey were down to his brother buying him one whilst there were preparing for holiday. Images of the Frenchman went viral as he donned a vintage Reds top with their iconic captain's name, back when he begun his career and wore No 28. This was whilst he remained a Frankfurt player but Liverpool were known to have been interested before they eventually secured his signature. The Reds paid £79million to secure Ekitike's services but he claims that picture of him in a Gerrard top were by no means a way of attracting attention or trying to fuel the rumour mill. The 23-year-old has just enjoyed his breakout campaign in Germany after previously being on PSG 's books. Liverpool fought off competition from Newcastle to land Ekitike but the player has explained his Gerrard snaps. He told the club's website: "The story behind it is that I was going on vacation and obviously I had some training [sessions]. I like vintage jerseys and my brother went to the shop and bought that one and obviously you know the next part of the story: now I am here! He is maybe the first legend here at Liverpool so yeah, big up to him and it's a very good jersey." Gerrard remains an iconic figure at Anfield and is seen by many as their greatest ever player. He won every honour despite the Premier League, but this current group are now aiming to become the first Reds' side ever to win the competition in successive years. Arne Slot, who conquered England's top flight at the first attempt, has attacked the transfer market in an effort to make Liverpool an even more formidable outfit. Ekitike will arrive as the team's new frontman and believes now is the right time to make the switch. The Frenchman said: "I think that was the right moment. I came to the Bundesliga hungry, I wanted to show that I'm a good player and I can make the difference on the pitch. I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. That's why I think it's the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here." Liverpool have also added Florian Wirtz for a British-record fee from Bayer Leverkusen. Defensively the Reds have also bought in Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Now there is talk of Alexander Isak joining from Newcastle.
