REAL MADRID are reportedly preparing a move for Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.

The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder moved to St. James’ Park for £35 million in January 2022 and has become one of Europe’s most sought-after players.

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The former Lyon ace has scored 13 goals and assisted a further 13 in 96 appearances for the Magpies.

And we revealed earlier this month how Guimaraes is now attracting interest from a host of teams across the continent.

He is under contract with Newcastle until 2028, after signing an extension earlier this season.

However, that deal reportedly includes a £100 million release clause, at the star’s own insistence.

Now talkSPORT claims Eddie Howe and the Toon are “bracing for Real Madrid to ramp up interest this summer”.

They claim the LaLiga giants had him under surveillance during last week’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City.

Guimaraes is also said to have a “burning desire” to play regularly in the Champions League.

He did achieve that on Tyneside before the theory group stage was abandoned this season, but Newcastle will need a miraculous turn of results to qualify for it again next season.

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The Magpies are also looking at the prospect of having to offload a star to help them stay on the right side of the Premier League’s spending rules.

And any figure they receive near his release clause would result in a huge return on the Samba ace.

Newcastle are currently 10th in the Premier League and of all the cup competitions, something Guimaraes admitted left him “disappointed” when quizzed about the campaign this week.

Speaking ahead of Brazil’s match against England at Wembley, he said: “This season we have struggled.

“I think we have had a lot of problems with injuries and suspensions, but this is part of the process. When I signed for the club I knew this would happen.

“Things happened too quickly. During my two years at the club we reached a final. Unfortunately we didn’t win, but we got there after 20 years, which was huge for the club.”

When asked whether Newcastle had to sell to comply with PSR rules, Guimaraes said: “I don’t know. I’m not involved in that.

“We never know what will happen, but I am happy at the club. Of course I’m disappointed with our season, but I think we still have a chance to finish at least seventh in the Europa League or Conference League.

“But I can’t say much about the club staff. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but what I can say is that I am so grateful to Newcastle.”

MIKE ASHLEY is taking Newcastle United, the club he used to own, to the league regulator in a major, bitter row over football shirts.

Newcastle United recently switched its kit supplier from Castore to Adidas and, as part of the deal, has agreed exclusivity to only sell football shirts through the club’s store and arch-rivals JD Sports.

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The Sports Direct magnate has now filed a claim with the Competition Appeals Tribunal.

Sports Direct alleges in its claim that: “The club has abused its dominant position in the market for the wholesale supply of Newcastle United replica kits in the United Kingdom [in breach of competition law] by refusing to supply Sports Direct with the Club’s replica kit for the 2024/25 season and by granting JD Sports, another British sports retailer, exclusive rights as a third party seller of the Club’s replica kit’.

A source close to Ashley claimed that “football fans will ultimately suffer from higher prices”.

It is understood Sports Direct still sold 50,000 Newcastle United shirts despite outrage from Magpies fans over its ownership.

Ashley owned Newcastle between 2007 and 2021.

The 59-year-old became an unpopular figure in the Toon and was eventually sold to the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

The £300m deal saw the Saudi Public Investment Fund take 80 per cent of the shares, while billionaire Reuben brothers and financier Amanda Staveley each got 10 per cent.

Ashley made a profit of £195 million from the sale of the club, his Mash Holdings accounts show.

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Ashley previously blew the whistle on price fixing on football shirts in 2004, involving his arch-rivals Dave Whelan and JJB Sports.

Two years after Ashley left, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League for the first time in twenty years.

However, they dropped out of the competition in the group stage.

I was skeptical of Eddie Howe before he took over as manager at Newcastle.

I doubted he could succeed outside his comfort zone at Bournemouth.

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I was worried about him taking over the club that has the richest owners in world football, with all the pressure that entails.

Yet Howe proved me wrong last season by leading Toon to the Champions League and reaching the final of the League Cup in his first full season.

I hope Newcastle’s Saudi owners don’t forget how far Howe was ahead of the game at the time.

And I hope they take into account the extraordinary bad luck he has had this season – from a gambling ban for Sandro Tonali, to a serious injury crisis, to the dodgy late penalty away at Paris Saint-Germain that has done much to send them out Europe were sent. .

But today’s FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City, a draw that spells further misfortune for Howe, is of huge importance for his future at the club.

If he stays on Tyneside next season, it feels like he might be in for a shock at Etihad.

We don’t know how the Saudis will react if Newcastle’s season is effectively ended by defeat.

We can guess that they will be ruthless. And we can’t imagine they’ll think ‘well, bad luck, we’ve got Man City’, because if you want to reach the top you’re going to have to beat City time and time again.

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The Saudis are running Newcastle quite calmly and sensibly.

Maybe they’ll excuse Howe from a season of stalled progress.
But the way FFP restrictions have been tightened, with a number of their players linked with a move in January, shows that Newcastle’s bid to reach the top echelons of English and European football is unlikely to go smoothly .

I also think that the club’s location could be a barrier to attracting foreign talent.

A lot of the foreign guys I played with only really knew about London and Manchester.

The North East is a great part of the world and anyone who knows football can’t help but love St James’ Park.

But many players prefer a move to the capital or to Manchester, where clubs will also pay high wages.

I remember former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley suggesting the club move its training base to London because of this – which didn’t go down well with the fans, who hated him anyway.

But when players make the move to Tyneside, they often love it.

Bruno Guimaraes is a good example. The Brazilian is adored there and he clearly loves the club.

Even during the defeat to Chelsea last Monday you could see his passion. I thought he was the best player on the field.

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That Ashley era now feels like a world away, thanks to the new owners’ money and Howe’s excellent management.

But anyone expecting Newcastle to gain the upper hand quickly is likely to be mistaken.

Newcastle are capable of beating anyone in a one-off match and this season they beat City in the League Cup.

If they can beat Pep Guardiola’s side tonight it would mean a change of mood for Howe and his team, and another day out at Wembley for the supporters in the semi-finals.

For a club that has not won a major trophy for over half a century, progress in the cup is extremely important.

You fear for Howe’s future if they don’t. But then I hope I’m wrong again.

By Brett Lackey for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 1:34 AM EDT, March 13, 2024 | Updated: 01:59 EDT, March 13, 2024

THOUSANDS of happy British households can receive up to £700 in ‘top-ups’ to help them with rising energy bills – but you’ll need to act quickly.

Residents can claim the aid package through their municipality as part of the Household Support Fund program.

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Those living under Newcastle City Council are eligible for the money, as councilors want to help people ‘top up’ their bank accounts.

The money is only available to those who have not received a £900 living package in the last 12 months.

Seven hundred pounds is the most you can get, as the amount depends on your “individual circumstances”, the council said.

Newcastle City Council’s website announced plans to pay out the money in three installments until the end of March 2024.

Those who qualify will be automatically contacted by the council’s benefits department later this month.

They will detail your deal and tell you how to claim it.

This support scheme started in the summer of last year, with people already receiving payments of between £400 and £700 sent to them.

Despite this offer being exclusive to Newcastle City Council residents, the entire country has received funding that local councils will distribute to those who need it most.

But a stunning report has revealed that £85 million remains unclaimed and still waiting to be spent.

Local councils received £842 million in funding from the Government but now have just weeks to transfer this.

The money is only available until March 31.

What is the Domestic Support Fund and who is eligible for it?

The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits meet the rising costs of living.

Guess in England received a share of £500 million in funding and was allowed to distribute it to households in need.

It was subsequently extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022.

In February last year, the DWP extended the scheme for the fourth time until March 31, 2024.

So far the government has refused to confirm whether the agreement will be extended again.

However, The Sun understands it has not ruled out a fifth extension, one of which is “under review”.

Eligibility for assistance through the scheme varies as each municipality is allowed to determine its own eligibility criteria.

But in most cases, help is offered to people on benefits or on a low income.

For example, Doncaster Council helps people with housing benefit, council tax cuts, Universal Credit and free school meals.

Meanwhile, Dorset Council is handing out support to people with an annual net household income of less than £30,000 and savings of less than £16,000.

How much can I get?

As with eligibility, the amount you can receive through the Household Support Fund varies depending on where you live.

For example, Kent County Council is offering residents £100 worth of virtual prepaid cards, which can be used to pay for energy. accounts.

In the meantime, Portsmouth The municipality hands out supermarket vouchers worth €150.

Dorset Council is rolling out the fourth round of its Household Support Fund, including £150 worth of supermarket vouchers.

Check your local council’s website to see what help is available, or call them for more information.

Not all municipalities distribute support to individual residents; some use their money to modernize people’s homes.

For example, Kingston upon Hull Council has used the fund to pay for hundreds of boilers and radiators for poor families.

NEWCASTLE take on Wolves in the Premier League this weekend as they hope to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Arsenal.

The Magpies were comfortably beaten 4-1 at the Emirates, while Wolves beat Sheffield United 1-0 thanks to a Pablo Sarabia goal.

• Kickoff time: 3:00 PM GMT
• TV/Stream: Not televised in Great Britain

Follow all the action via our live blog below…

JULIAN NAGELSMANN is wanted by Newcastle if they look to replace Eddie Howe this summer.

The current Magpies boss signed a new long-term deal in August 2022.

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However, his side have failed to reach the same heights as last season after an early exit from the Champions League.

Newcastle are currently 15 points behind the top four and in tenth place, but reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Tuesday.

With Champions League qualification looking unlikely, Newcastle are interested in appointing Nagelsmann for next season, report says Image.

The 36-year-old is currently in charge of the German national team, having taken charge in September until this summer’s European Championship.

However, according to the report, he has yet to decide whether to extend his contract or return to club football.

Nagelsmann has been away from the club management since being fired by Bayern Munich in March 2023.

In another potential boost to Newcastle’s hopes, Nagelsmann is represented by the same agency as defender Fabian Schar.

Euro 2024 hosts Germany will face Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland in the group stages this summer, with Nagelsmann currently preparing for his first tournament as boss.

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He is still in high demand, with both Manchester United and Liverpool linked with the former RB Leipzig manager in recent months.

Nagelsmann is reportedly on a two-man shortlist at Anfield if the Reds fail to land Xabi Alonso as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is also said to be an alternative option after impressing in Portugal.

FANS are convinced Blackburn’s equalizer against Newcastle should not have stood.

The Championship side sent their FA Cup fifth round tie to extra time thanks to a Sammie Szmodics strike in the 79th minute.

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However, proponents believe they have noticed a breach in the run-up.

Arnor Sigurdsson had made a long throw after Jamaal Lascelles misjudged the flight of the ball.

He beat Dilan Markanday, whose effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Martin Dubravka, before Szmoditics converted the rebound.

However, replays showed that the play should have been pulled back to the first faceoff due to a raised boot by Billy Koumetio.

Players are required to have part of both feet on the ground when the ball is released, which replays showed Koumetio did not do.

Commenting on the goal on

Another added: “Did anyone else notice Blackburn’s errant throw in the build-up to goal?”

Meanwhile, a third fan also added: “I love an old fashioned foul throw.”

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With no VAR active at Ewood Park, the goal was allowed to stand after the alleged foul throw was not withdrawn by the referees.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock in the remaining 90 minutes, with Newcastle winning on penalties.

The Magpies will join Coventry, Leicester and Manchester City for the quarter-final on Wednesday.

EDDIE HOWE’s job prospects are all but safe for a while yet.

Honking Newcastle stunk at Ewood Park, but they are now three wins away from that elusive first domestic trophy since 1955.

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They may be in the hat thanks to penalty hero Martin Dubravka, but not all is well.

With their league form declining, the Magpies’ season continues to flicker.

Yet Blackburn, with just one Championship win in 13, gave them a huge scare and will be kidding themselves that they didn’t knock out the Saudi-funded Tynesiders.

Apart from Dubravka, the Geordies have been rotten here and Howe desperately needs to find the answers if he wants to stay in the post long-term.

Anthony Gordon fired them ahead but Sammie Szmodics held them back, with Dom Hyan missing the all-important penalty for the plucky Rovers.

And so did the penalties, with Newcastle’s Fabian Schar firing the first into the bottom corner.

Dubravka then saved from Szmodics before Pears gobbled up Barnes’ woeful effort.

Callum Brittain leveled the score, but Bruno Guimaraes made it 2-1.

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The pressure then came on Sigurdsson but he made no mistake, with Elliot Anderson and Yasin Ayari both scoring to leave the score at 3-3.

Newcastle’s Gordon shot through the middle for Dom Hyam to score, but Dubravka flung himself to the right and tapped the post.

Newcastle showed their relief as they celebrated wildly.

Fans – like Howe – are desperate for silverware, especially after slipping to 10th in the Prem.

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Stunned viewers claim Blackburn were robbed during Newcastle’s FA Cup triumph after spotting a major controversy.

Keen-eyed fans are convinced that Toon’s hero Martin Dubravka was off his line before foiling Dom Hyam from the very last penalty.

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And supporters were particularly frustrated because the FA Cup has NO VAR, meaning no amount of video replay could solve the problem.

The mediocre Magpies reached the quarter-finals 4-3 on penalties after Championship side Rovers rightly held them at 1-1 after extra time.

But supporters rushed to point out what they said was a happy ending for Dubravka – as well as the ‘unfairness’ of the lack of VAR.

The Slovak, who earlier saved Sammie Szmodics’ shootout penalty, dived to repeat the feat from Hyam’s low effort.

But fans posted clips of the stopper, with both his feet appearing to be in front of the line before Rovers’ Scottish defender took his kick.

If true, it means the penalty should have been retaken, giving Blackburn another chance to bring the penalties to sudden death.

One wrote: “Dubravka was off his line when Hyam’s penalty was taken. If VAR had been involved it would have been retaken.”

Another said: “It would have been quite funny if Newcastle had been denied victory by Dubravka coming off his line for the first time this season.”

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And a third commented: “Dubravka was out of line, oops.”

A fourth couldn’t have been more wrong when he said: “No one who would call Dubravka out of line thought so.”

That’s because loads of fans flocked to social media to take notice of the stopper’s controversial positioning.

However, they were divided on whether the absence of VAR was an overall positive for an epic match.

One argued: “No VAR and a brilliant game of non-stop action. Lots of chances from both teams!! Even at the end VAR would have disallowed the final pin because Dubravka was off his line.”

Anthony Gordon’s 71st minute opener for the Toon had previously been canceled by Szmodics ahead of extra time and the shootout saga.