NEWCASTLE

Newcastle United have rejected an opening offer from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak.

The Magpies value the Sweden international at about £150m, with the Reds’ offer falling below that figure.

There has been no confirmation as to the level of Liverpool’s bid.

Isak was left out of the Newcastle squad for their pre-season tour of Asia as he wants to explore a move away.

The bid from Liverpool has been lodged while Isak trains alone at former club Real Sociedad, amid continued uncertainty around his future.

The 25-year-old joined Newcastle in a £60m move from La Liga club Real Sociedad in 2022.

BBC Sport reported in July that Liverpool were considering a move for Isak worth up to £130m.

Newcastle have maintained he is not for sale this summer, but that has not prevented Liverpool from taking a major interest.

The Premier League champions made an approach to Newcastle last month and have now lodged an official bid.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will make an improved bid for Isak.

But manager Arne Slot is very keen to add the striker to his squad before the new season.

Magpies head coach Eddie Howe said earlier this week the club are yet to receive a bid from any club for the striker.

“[Isak] is still our player. He’s contracted to us,” he added.

“We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.

“We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club.”

Isak scored 27 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle last season.

Howe’s side lost their third match of pre-season on Wednesday with a 1-0 defeat by a K-League XI.

They face fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday.

Many people who live in or visit Newcastle may not realise are a set of stairs near the Quayside offer a direct route to one of the city’s most famous landmarks

If you’re a fan of exploration and pretty active you might fancy tackling a ‘secret’ staircase in Newcastle. This hidden gem leads to one of the city’s most renowned landmarks, yet remains largely undiscovered by many locals and visitors alike.

Whether it’s the plethora of top-notch eateries and watering holes in town, superb entertainment venues, or the striking architecture – with the magnificent Grey Street and iconic Tyne Bridge being just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to breathtaking sights in Newcastle.

Now, a landmark that often goes unnoticed until stumbled upon is Newcastle Castle, and the staircase leading up to it from the Quayside is considered one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

READ MORE: Britain’s longest river flows through 11 towns and cities and it’s stunning

The Quayside is a brilliant spot to enjoy in its own right. After admiring the bridges, enjoying a few pints and, if you time it right, visiting the weekly Quayside market, you can take a direct route from the banks of the Tyne to the Castle via the Battery Stairs.

These shouldn’t be confused with the nearby Long Stairs or the daunting ‘death stairs’. Named after the Half Moon Battery, part of the Castle that was demolished and replaced by crowded tenements in the 17th century, these stairs offer a scenic route from one area of the city to another and are a photographer’s dream, offering plenty of great shots from bottom to top, reports Chronicle Live.

Every person who has posted about climbing the stairs online has mentioned that they’re not for the faint-hearted, including one individual who advised tourists to use the handrails when ascending or descending. Highlighting the potential for some fantastic photos, another wrote: ‘This ancient staircase up to Newcastle Castle looks superb.

They are fun to walk up or down, if you’re a keen photographer you will have some great and dramatic photographic opportunities to take. ‘.

After starting his playing career, while working in a slate quarry, with local sides Locomotive Llanberis and Caernarfon Town, Davies signed for Wrexham in 1960 before being snapped up by Bolton.

Following his move to Bolton, Davies was first capped by Wales in October 1963 against England and made his last appearance against Poland in September 1973.

The first of his six international goals arrived in 1964, giving Wales an early lead in a 3-2 win against Scotland.

Davies’ most famous strike, though, came in November 1966 – scoring Wales’ only goal in a 5-1 defeat to an England side newly crowned as world champions.

After four seasons with Bolton, Newcastle snapped up Davies in 1966 for a then club record £80,000 fee and he was part of the famous Magpies side that won the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the competition which later became the Uefa Cup – the club’s only major European silverware.

In 1971 Davies left for Manchester, playing first for City – where he won the 1972 FA Charity Shield and rekindled his striking partnership with ex-Bolton team-mate Francis Lee – and then United before departing for Blackpool in 1973.

Spells at Stockport County and Crewe Alexandra followed before Davies returned to Wales to finish his professional career at Bangor City in 1978-79 and then a short spell in South Africa with Cape Town City – hanging up his boots aged 37.

In his retirement, Davies worked as a baker in Bolton.

Newcastle have made a move to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

The 23-year-old scored 15 goals and made eight assists last season as his side finished third in the Bundesliga.

Sources said Newcastle are now exploring a potential deal to sign the Frenchman, who would likely cost more than £70m.

Despite the interest in Ekitike, BBC Sport has been told Newcastle have no interest in selling last season’s top scorer Alexander Isak who has been linked with clubs across Europe including Liverpool.

Sweden striker Isak, 25, joined from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £63m, which is currently the club’s record purchase.

Ekitike only joined Frankfurt last summer after an initial loan spell from Paris St-Germain and is under contract for another four years.

Newcastle United have agreed a £55m fee with Nottingham Forest for Sweden winger Anthony Elanga.

Newcastle are seeking to strengthen their attacking options as they prepare for their return to the Champions League following a fifth-placed Premier League finish last season.

The 23-year-old scored six goals and produced 11 assists for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side during their successful 2024-25 Premier League season.

Newcastle have yet to pay a fee for a player this summer, with 18-year-old Spanish winger Antonio Cordero the only new arrival on a free transfer from Malaga.

Forest are believed to have paid £15m to sign Elanga from Manchester United on a five-year-deal in 2023.

He had arrived at Old Trafford at the age of 12 and made 55 appearances before moving to the City Ground.

TINO LIVRAMENTO will have a “beautiful future” for club and country, says England’s greatest left-back Ashley Cole.

The Newcastle star is aiming to cap off a campaign that saw him lift the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League by becoming a European champion.

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Versatile Livramento has excelled at both right and left-back for the Magpies and was man of the match at the latter in the U21s’ 3-1 Euro opening victory over Czech Republic on Thursday.

Left-back has proven to be a problem position for England’s seniors of late with eight players used there over the past year.

Arsenal and Chelsea legend Cole won 107 caps for his country and is now Lee Carsley’s U21s assistant manager.

And he thinks England, who face Slovenia on Sunday in their second Group B clash, have struck gold with Livramento.

Cole, 44, said: “I had the fortune to be around him when he was at Chelsea. He was in the 21s in the reserve group. You always see the passion and level he could get to. But of course, there’s only a certain level of information we can give him. 

“It’s down to the players to take on that information, absorb it, and want to learn and listen and develop and get better. He’s certainly one of them players. 

“Him getting the opportunity at Newcastle and continuing to play first in football gave him the belief, the confidence in his own ability. And, of course, a manager that’s trusted him to play at such a young age. He’s developing into a top player.”

Three-time Premier League and 2012 Champions League winner Cole continued: “My job is to try and give all my experiences to every single player. 

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“You do favour certain players and certain attitudes. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a great person, always willing to listen.

“I try not to compare myself to these guys. The information and detail I give is, we’re a different stature. We have a different style of play. And it’s just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops.”

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Cole, who admits some of the magic is not there anymore, takes a hands-on approach to coaching.

And after sharing a pitch with Livramento and working with him up close, he insists that the sky is the limit for the Toon ace. 

He said: “I can’t move anymore. My ankle is gone. I was probably the worst player last week when I joined in. 

“I try to give that little bit of knowledge as I’m playing. I can’t run anymore, so it’s more of a gob – which I’ve calmed down a bit! – but it’s still there. I try to give as much as I can. 

“As coach, you stand on the sideline and see how much information he takes on and takes on board. And I keep saying it, but the willingness to want to learn and be the best, is always a great trait to have.

I try not to compare myself to these guys. We have a different style of play. And it’s just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops.

Ashley Cole on Tino Livramento

“Whatever level he wants to get to, he can get to because he’s got that personality and desire.

“He’s got a beautiful future, a bright future. Long may it continue that he keeps playing for Newcastle, keeps gaining experience and keeps his levels up.”

Eyebrows were raised when Thomas Tuchel left Livramento, who won his first senior cap in November, out of his latest squad in order for him to come to the Euros.

But the ex-Southampton ace revealed a conversation he had with the German about being a leader for the U21s in Slovakia and he says he is loving soaking up all the knowledge from his hero Cole.

Livramento said: “Thomas spoke to me about the senior squad and said that he wanted to speak to Lee as well about giving me that role.

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“I’ve never played a tournament for England and any age group. I’ve always missed it through injuries. That’s a big thing for me, coming here and getting this experience and playing with loads of boys that I’ve come through the age groups with.

“Ashley gets involved in the sessions. Even just watching him, he’s still at the highest level of the way he communicates with all the boys. As a coach he’s a bit more laid back.

“He sees things, he lets you train and he might pull you to the side after and do a little bit of one-to-one work.

“Obviously as a Chelsea fan when I was younger seeing him and stuff like that is a big thing for me to learn.”

England’s Under-21 Euros squad in FULL

ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia.

Here is Lee Carsley’s full squad for the blockbuster tournament:

Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City)

Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth)

Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)

NOTTINGHAM FOREST would have earned a Champions League spot at the expense of Newcastle if VAR did not exist.

And the Magpies’ escape from any consequences for their home defeat by Everton is put into even starker content as they would have missed out on European football altogether without the technology.

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SunSport have analysed all 380 Prem matches this term and worked out how the table would have looked if the original on-field decisions had not been overturned after intervention by the Stockley Park video booth.

Our number crunchers found that Eddie Howe’s men were by far the biggest beneficiaries of VAR changes. 

Newcastle had a staggering 13 decisions changed in their favour, with just five reversals hurting them.

That brought a net figure of +8, with Aston Villa and West Ham next in the benefits column with each having four more interventions in their favour than against them.

Our analysis, which assumes every penalty that was initially awarded and then wiped was scored, suggests that without VAR Newcastle would have picked up four fewer points – dropping them to eighth in the table – and conceded seven more goals.

Forest, whose home defeat by Chelsea left them in the Conference League slot, would have finished fifth in our “No VAR” table.

And Bournemouth, ninth in the actual table, would have been preparing for a first continental campaign in the Europa League without the technology changes.

Andoni Iraola’s side had 11 VAR changes against them and just three in their favour, costing the Cherries EIGHT points and seven goals.

The study of the 111 changed decisions cannot determine definitively what would have happened in real life if the initial decisions had not been overturned.

But one of the most contentious calls saw Dango Ouattara’s last-gasp “winner” against Newcastle in August chalked off for a handball PGMOL chief Howard Webb subsequently conceded was wrongly overturned after the VAR intervention.

Over the course of the season there were 12 goals and 25 penalties awarded through VAR intervention – with 21 of those spot-kicks converted – compared to 48 goals and 11 penalties disallowed.

Liverpool’s 10-point advantage over Arsenal at the top of the pile would have been reduced to just two without VAR, as the Gunners lost eight points from the six overturns against them – including “winning” goals against Chelsea, Fulham and Aston Villa.

Chelsea and Manchester City swap places, with the Londoners up to third, with Villa down one to take the Conference League slot.

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CALLUM WILSON revealed he contemplated suicide aged 12 and how seeking therapy a year ago saved him from the demons.

The father-of-two forward, whose Newcastle contract expires next month, bravely spoke out during Mental Health Awareness week and hopes his story will inspire others to ask for help.

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England international Wilson, 33, bared all about growing up in Coventry as one of six children with a single mum and with a different dad to his siblings.

The Leeds transfer target spent time in foster care and had to regularly use food banks while also staying in safe houses after witnessing domestic violence at home.

He told the High Performance podcast: “I cried myself to sleep at night. I got to about 12, 13 – it was like suicidal moments.

“When I say I cried myself to sleep, I was just praying to God like ‘take me out of this environment, I want to become a footballer’.”

He admitted: “I’ve walked alongside the train track and was building up the courage to jump basically in front of the train.

“I’ve tied cables around my bedroom rail and my PlayStation remote controller to see if it was strong enough to hold my weight.

“Football really was my saviour, it was my escape.”

Wilson, though, refuses to blame his mother for any of his unstable upbringing, saying: “It was my mum on her own, all my siblings in the house.

“We had a three bedroom council house. Food was sparing to come by. That, along with a bit of turmoil.

“I probably have a lot of aggression from that point, but football was a place that I could be aggressive in my position on the pitch and it would be ok. So it was like a release really.”

Despite all of the success in his career on the pitch, Wilson admitted that he had started to become more aggressive over recent years and he started to gamble.

Though he hailed a Newcastle physio for spotting he needed help and making him take it – which felt “like a weight was lifted” after the very first session.

He added: “Once I started speaking, and revealed everything I’ve been through in life, she was like ‘Wow, how have you got to this point already without not seeing a therapist?’

“I speak to my wife about it, but I didn’t want to blur the lines with our relationship.

“She’s not my therapist, she’s my wife and the mother of my children, so I didn’t want to burden her with problems.

“You can speak to a therapist and it does feel a sense of relief afterwards.

“It’s an investment in yourself and more than worth it. I’m probably learning a lot about myself now – little traits that I have that were obviously triggered by things as a kid. I’m really happy.”

Meanwhile, Wilson appeared to wave goodbye to Newcastle with a tearful solo lap of honour round the St. James’ pitch on Sunday after the Magpies had secured Champions League qualification.

Although Magpies boss Eddie Howe refused to rule out a potential stay.

Howe said: “Let’s wait and see. We’re going to sit down and talk with his representatives.

“What I can say is Callum Wilson is and has been just an incredible footballer for Newcastle.

“Someone who epitomises the spirit that’s got us to where we are really professional. Brave.

“To come here and be the No.9 in the manner and the moment that he did in the club’s history.

“It was a difficult moment and the club needed hope and Callum gave them hope, led the line with that responsibility and the pressure that role brings unbelievably.

“He brings a positivity to the group. He’s a leader within the change room. He’s just been incredible and let’s wait and see what happens.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

THE final day of the Premier League is here, and there is so much still to be decided!

Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are the FIVE teams in the mix for the remaining three Champions League spots.

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A SERIAL thief has been barred from every Greggs in England and Wales after repeatedly targeting the same bakery in a shameless crime spree.

Patrick Verry, 33, is now forbidden from entering any of the high street baker’s hundreds of branches following a court order brought by the Met Police.

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He was caught in the act last week by officers inside a Greggs shop in Wood Green, North London, after striking the location seven times.

Verry was arrested on the spot and brought before Highbury Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted to six counts of theft from the same Greggs store.

Police described him as one of the capital’s “most prolific shoplifters” — and now he’s banned from every Greggs outlet across the country in a move to protect staff and customers.

The order comes as part of a new Met Police blitz on retail crime amid soaring shoplifting rates nationwide.

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s retail crime lead, said: “The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Verry.

“They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.”

He continued: “We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”

The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streets.

Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylight, with some stores experiencing a theft every 20 minutes.

At one busy location in South London, a thief was seen stuffing doughnuts and drinks into his pockets before barging past staff and walking out unfazed.

In another shocking clip filmed in Tooting, a brave female Greggs manager tried to stop a thief who was carrying several bottles of Coca-Cola.

She shouted: “You’re not having all of that,” as the crook tried to leave.

He coolly replied: “Yeah I’m walking out with them, watch me.”

Customers looked on in silence, too scared to step in. A witness said: “There were two grown men just stood by the tills.

“Everyone was just silent.

“No one said a word. People are just afraid now.”

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The Met later confirmed it was not alerted to the Tooting incident, which happened in August, highlighting just how many shoplifting cases go unreported.

Our reporters saw similar scenes play out in branches from Newcastle to Brighton, with thieves helping themselves to hot food, drinks and sandwiches without even trying to hide it.

In Stockwell, South London, one man was caught on camera filling his coat with products before grabbing two boxes of jam doughnuts worth £3 each and fleeing during the lunchtime rush.

In Worthing, West Sussex, two men repeatedly walked in and out of Greggs helping themselves to hot food from the display cabinets.

On Brighton’s Queen’s Road, one crook walked off with two trays of wedges in front of a stunned staff member. “Average day,” the employee said when asked about it.

Minutes later, another thief ran out with two trays of wedges and a sandwich, while yet another masked man sprinted off carrying food as helpless staff shouted after him.

In Southampton, a man entered just after midday, grabbed four hot food items and said: “Sorry guys, I’m homeless, I need to eat,” before walking straight out the door.

In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasons.

One insider told us: “They’ve been told not to chase anyone, not to engage. It’s heartbreaking for the team.”

Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six months.

Of those, only 111 received immediate or suspended jail time — and most had long criminal records.

Greggs has started introducing extra security measures in stores hit hardest by crime.

That includes removing self-serve fridges, placing chilled food behind the till, and trialling bouncers in some branches.

One staff member said: “It’s like we’re on the front line. You’re trying to sell sausage rolls but you’re looking over your shoulder constantly.”

Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to police.

“We’ve now got a system where we can take photos of people committing theft on the shop floor and that then instantly goes to the police,” she told The Sun.

The bakery chain is also investing in body cameras for workers and running trials with a 24-hour shoplifting helpline.

A Greggs spokeswoman said: “Shoplifting is an industry-wide issue and we take it extremely seriously.

The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority.”

Politicians have backed The Sun’s investigation.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is an important and timely investigation from The Sun, exposing just how bad the shoplifting epidemic has become.

“There has to be consequences for this appalling criminality.”

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson added: “Retail workers should never feel unsafe at work. That is why we’re taking robust action to tackle shop theft and protect workers.”

She confirmed new laws are coming under the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will create a specific offence for assaulting shop staff and scrap the £200 threshold that previously gave low-level shoplifters “effective immunity.”

Meanwhile, the Met has released dramatic new footage showing suspects sprinting from stores clutching bottles, sandwiches and snacks as part of a wider crackdown on repeat retail offenders.

And police chiefs say they’re not stopping with Verry, more bans could be coming for other prolific shoplifters as efforts ramp up to restore order on Britain’s battered high streets.

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Match of the Day 2 pundit Martin Keown compares Declan Rice to David Beckham after the England international scores with a curling strike from outside the box in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Emirates.

The win confirms a second-place finish in the Premier League and Champions League football next season for the Gunners.

MATCH REPORT: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

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