Newcastle United needed a lift and, according to talkSPORT, they may have one. The club are closing in on a £25 million deal for Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, a move that looks practical, timely and necessary given the churn around St James’ Park.
Hornicek, 24, was heavily involved for Braga last season, starting all but one league match as they finished fourth in Liga Portugal. Newcastle clearly see him as more than a squad filler. He is expected to arrive as the replacement for Nick Pope, and that alone tells you the level of trust attached to this deal.
The broader picture matters. Newcastle have already signed Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen. Hornicek would become the fifth addition of the summer, with Jaouen expected to provide support after Aaron Ramsdale’s return to Southampton. In isolation, that is solid business. In context, it feels more like damage control.
Hornicek Deal Offers Rare Boost
The original report describes this as “Some good news!” and that is fair enough. It also says Hornicek’s impending arrival is “a sliver of good news” after a bruising spell. Again, accurate. Newcastle have lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur, and missed out on Johan Manzambi, who chose Aston Villa instead.
That is a rough sequence for any club with top-four ambitions. It gets worse when leadership changes follow immediately.
Photo: IMAGO
Eddie Howe Exit Changes Mood
talkSPORT reports that Eddie Howe “spectacularly left his role as Newcastle head coach on Thursday morning after a five-year stay in charge.” That is the sort of line that shifts the mood around a football club in an instant. Matthias Jaissle is now set to take charge after three years with Al-Ahli, and he walks into a dressing room that may not look settled for long.
Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal Would Hurt
The biggest concern is Bruno Guimaraes. talkSPORT says he “is now expected to leave the club for Arsenal” and has…
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