Newcastle evening headlines with Livramento deal agreed, Ashby exit nears and Saint-Maximin's praise

Here are your latest Newcastle United headlines for August 3.

Livramento latest

Newcastle United have agreed a deal with Southampton to sign Tino Livramento. The Magpies had previously been rebuffed twice by the Saints but were determined to sign the highly-rated right-back, seen as the ideal long-term heir to Kieran Trippier's first-team place.

Livramento will play no part in Southampton's season opener at Sheffield Wednesday, while personal terms are not expected to be an issue in the coming days. The full-back, 20, could be on Tyneside as early as this weekend to undergo the formalities of his move.

Southampton were holding out for close to £40m for Livramento's services this summer but Chronicle Live understands Newcastle valued the player at closer to £30m. The fee will be undisclosed should the transfer materialise from this point but will include achievable add-ons on top of the initial price.

You can read the full story here.

Ashby exit

Eddie Howe sees Harrison Ashby as part of Newcastle United's future, despite sending the full-back out on loan to Swansea City for the upcoming season. Ashby only joined the north east outfit back in January but is already being shipped out in search of first team minutes despite a positive showing in pre-season.

The 21-year-old netted the winner in the win over Rangers at Ibrox last month and was the standout performer in the first-half against Brighton in the Premier League Summer Series last week. Ashby was seen by many as the perfect Kieran Trippier backup this season but will now gain vital experience away from St James' Park.

Howe fought hard to get the full-back through the door earlier this year, tempting him away from his boyhood West Ham United to join the revolution on Tyneside. Even though Ashby isn't currently in his plans, he is seen as an ideal option for the future.

You can read the full story here.

Longstaff's return

Newcastle United have been handed a fitness boost with Sean Longstaff returning to training this week but the midfielder's return provides Eddie Howe with a selection headache in the middle of the park.

Longstaff featured for Newcastle early in pre-season but played no part in the Premier League Summer Series tournament in the United States. Instead, Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley both staked their claim for more minutes in the middle of the park with fine performances against fellow top flight sides.

Throw in Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, the returning Joe Willock and new addition Sandro Tonali and Howe's 'under the radar' performer Longstaff is now facing a fight for his starting spot on Tyneside.

You can read the full story here.

Sela Cup request

Newcastle United Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone says Eddie Howe knew he wanted to face European opposition before the new season rolled around as the Magpies prepare for their hotly-anticipated return to the Champions League.

Newcastle are gearing up for this weekend's Sela Cup tournament at St James' Park, which sees Howe men take on Italian outfit Fiorentina and Spanish side Villarreal on home soil. It will be the final chance for Newcastle's first-team stars to impress on the pitch before the Premier League opener with Aston Villa on Saturday, August 12th.

Last year Newcastle welcomed Athletic Bilbao and Atalanta to Tyneside from the continent but this year the club's hierarchy saw an opportunity to host a special mini-tournament named after their new sponsor, Sela. For Howe, he gets his wish of facing teams outside England's top flight and Silverstone and his commercial team get the chance to showcase Newcastle to the fans before the end of the summer.

You can read the full story here.

ASM's Howe praise

Allan Saint-Maximin has said Eddie Howe is the 'best manager ever' in an emotional response to the Newcastle United head coach. The Frenchman was responding to a glowing endorsement from the Toon boss on social following his move to Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Howe said: "What a talent. An incredible player, very unpredictable in the sense of when he's playing there's an air of excitement when he gets the ball because you don't quite know what's going to happen next.

"He has the ability to beat four, five people in one move. I think when you look back through the history of what he's done for Newcastle, he's been incredible.

"During the dark times he really was a beacon of light at times when he offered hope for supporters and everyone connected with the club. He's going to be a big miss. I think he was popular in the dressing room, popular with supporters and I had a really good relationship with him."

You can read the full story here.

Agbonlahor's warning

Gabby Agbonlahor believes a top-six finish has to be the 'minimum' target for Chelsea this season in Mauricio Pochettino's first season at Stamford Bridge. However, the talkSPORT pundit has namechecked Newcastle United as one of three clubs who 'aren't going anywhere' in the race for European football.

Chelsea endured a dismal season in Todd Boehly's first full season at the helm, slumping to a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League. Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were both sacked, with former boss Frank Lampard brought in on an interim basis to finish the campaign.

Pochettino has now been tasked with leading the rebuild of the Blues, with Kai Havertz and Mason Mount among a number of high-profile exits. Chelsea will be without European football for the first time since 2017, but this could benefit their efforts to regain their place among the Premier League's elite.

The target for Pochettino was discussed on talkSPORT, with Agbonlahor casting doubt as to whether his side could secure a top-six finish. Fellow pundit Alan Brazil has backed the Blues to do so, but the ex-Aston Villa striker reckons his former club, along with Brighton and Newcastle, could prove difficult to dislodge.

You can read the full story here.

Krafth's recovery

Newcastle United defender Emil Krafth has lifted the lid on his recovery from a serious knee injury that has kept him out for the last year or so. The Swedish defender was enjoying his best football to date in a black and white shirt under Eddie Howe, when he picked up a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, a torn meniscus, in Newcastle's win over Tranmere Rovers back in August 2022.

It's been a long, hard road to recovery behind the scenes with Howe's men flying in the pitch. Krafth admits he felt detached from the squad, despite travelling with them to away games and supporting them during his time out injured.

You can read the full story here.