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Weston McKennie transfer
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Report: McKennie’s transfer from Schalke to Hertha falls apart

By Andy EdwardsAug 14, 2020, 11:30 AM EDT
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Weston McKennie transfer update: The lifecycle on the American midfielder’s proposed move from Schalke to Hertha Berlin was short and sweet, and is now no longer.

[ TRANSFER NEWS: Sancho staying at Dortmund; Chilwell to Man Utd, Chelsea ]

According to a report from Bild, the move has fallen apart and a number of stumbling blocks are to blame.

Firstly, the transfer fee Schalke wanted for the 21-year-old was reportedly too high for Hertha to stomach. They are said to be seeking roughly $48 million. McKennie would also be due a fairly significant pay increase upon completing a transfer.

Then came the issue of convincing McKennie that a move to Hertha would be beneficial for his career. He is said to have had major questions about Hertha’s viability as contenders for European qualification — they finished 10th this season, two places and two points above Schalke. The fact that Schalke are outside of Germany’s European places is undoubtedly a driving force in any and all Weston McKennie transfer rumors set to be spread this summer.

[ MORE: Arsenal sign Willian on free transfer from Chelsea ]

According to the report, McKennie prefers a move to the Premier League. While he is unlikely to meet the standard of the PL’s top-six sides and therefore would appear to go against his logic regarding the move to Hertha, McKennie’s willingness to forego a place in Europe highlights the draw that many young players feel toward playing in England.

McKennie has previously been linked with moves to Southampton, Everton and Newcastle United.

Newcastle takeover: Saudi Arabian led consortium cancels deal

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By Joe Prince-WrightJul 30, 2020, 10:47 AM EDT
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The Newcastle takeover saga has taken another dramatic twist, as the Saudi Arabian led consortium which wanted to buy the Premier League club has backed out of the deal.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ] 

For months the consortium, which was led by businesswoman Amanda Stavely and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, had provided details to the Premier League about their takeover plans.

A $390 million deal was agreed with current Newcastle owner Mike Ashley but the Premier League have been investigating the consortium amid issues with Saudi Arabian investment, concerns over human rights and the Middle East nation has also been embroiled in a piracy battle with broadcasters in their own region over Premier League TV rights.

Here is the statement in full from the consortium on their failed Newcastle takeover:

“With a deep appreciation for the Newcastle community and the significance of its football club, we have come to the decision to withdraw our interest in acquiring Newcastle United Football Club. We do so with regret, as we were excited and fully committed to invest in the great city of Newcastle and believe we could have returned the club to the position of its history, tradition and fans’ merit.

“Ultimately, during the unforeseeably prolonged process, the commercial agreement between the Investment Group and the club’s owners expired and our investment thesis could not be sustained, particularly with no clarity as to the circumstances under which the next season will start and the new norms that will arise for matches, training and other activities.”

It remains to be seen what direction Newcastle head in now as American businessman and TV exec Henry Mauriss has tabled a rival bid which now seems to be the frontrunner.

Until then, Mike Ashley will remain in charge and Newcastle United fans everywhere will no doubt be wondering whether their club will ever be sold.

Source: McKennie remains keen on Premier League transfer

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By Joe Prince-WrightJul 29, 2020, 2:05 PM EDT
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USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie remains keen on a move to the Premier League and several teams are interested in signing him from Schalke.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

Weston McKennie, 21, has been a mainstay at German giants Schalke in recent seasons and the likes of Everton, Newcastle United, Leicester City and according to Kicker in Germany Southampton have reportedly shown interest in signing the former FC Dallas academy product.

A source with knowledge of McKennie’s situation confirmed to ProSoccerTalk that a move to the Premier League remains of high importance and some movement on the situation is expected in the coming days. With the transfer window only opening earlier this week for Premier League clubs, it could take a little while longer for things to get moving as managers and club officials take a brief offseason break.

Hertha Berlin have also been linked with a move for McKennie but a transfer to England is the aim and Schalke are said to want close to $26 million for the USMNT regular.

In recent interviews the combative central midfielder, who can also play at right back, has said it would be a dream to move to the Premier League and follow in the footsteps of his good friend Christian Pulisic who has made waves during his debut season at Chelsea.

Schalke’s current financial situation is far from steady and it is believed they will look to sell McKennie, Ozan Kobak and Rabbi Matondo this summer to try and raise funds as David Wagner’s squad will also see their wages lowered.

As for McKennie, he posted a video on Instagram of him driving past Schalke’s stadium on Wednesday and then a caption ‘back at it’ as he has returned to Germany following a brief break in the USA over the Bundesliga offseason.

Preseason for Schalke starts on Aug. 3 and it seems like McKennie won’t be staying in Germany for long as his dream move to the Premier League is in the works.

Which aforementioned club would be the best fit?

Southampton are looking to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who is going to either Tottenham or Everton, so there’s a spot in central midfield and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s high-pressing and aggressive system would suit McKennie well.

As for Leicester City, he may be a squad player for the Foxes, while Everton would be a good fit as Carlo Ancelotti needs a midfield enforced. Newcastle may not be the best fit, while Liverpool and Chelsea have been mentioned but McKennie would most likely be a squad player for the Premier League giants.

A move to Southampton or Everton would probably be best for McKennie’s development as he would play regularly for teams in midtable who have aims of pushing for Europa League qualification. The USMNT youngster needs regular minutes and if he can get that in the Premier League, it would be the best step for his career.

Liverpool seals 99-point season with comeback win at Newcastle

By Nicholas MendolaJul 26, 2020, 1:52 PM EDT
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Newcastle – Liverpool: Three different goal scorers and assist men helped Liverpool to a 3-1 comeback win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

Old nemesis Dwight Gayle scored early to put the Reds down 1-0 but Virgil van Dijk, Divock Origi, and Sadio Mane scored to send the champions out on a club-record 99 points.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

Newcastle finishes 13th with 44 points. Ex-Liverpool man Jonjo Shelvey assisted Gayle’s first minute opener.

WATCH NEWCASTLE – LIVERPOOL FULL MATCH REPLAY

Two things we learned (We’ll keep this quick)

1. Champs go out on top and deserve a rest: Liverpool, more than anyone else, has earned a proper break and the chance to recharge its batteries. It’s going to be monumentally challenging for the Reds to regroup with the same intensity and weekly desperation to outlast the competition but who cares? Order a lot of sandwiches and don’t think of soccer for a while, gents.

2. A word for Steve Bruce: Newcastle could hardly find a manager after Rafa Benitez left and Steve Bruce got a load of grief after accepting the job at his boyhood club. Whatever you think of the Magpies’ season — and they were very fortunate in many wins and draws — Bruce did one of his best managing jobs and deserves more than a few high fives if only for dealing with all the “Hey are you going to get fired if the takeover is completed?” questions. That he took so many without taking a swing at anyone deserves a wink and a nod.

Man of the Match

Mane only played about a half-hour but scored an absolute beauty. Call this a season-achievement award:

Newcastle – Liverpool recap

Former Newcastle teammate Georginio Wijnaldum trusted Shelvey a bit much in handing him the ball for a quickly-played free kick that sprung Gayle on Alisson Becker.
Gayle has done some things against Liverpool in his day, memories erased by the Reds’ lovely title this season.

Dubravka then made a flying save to deny Takumi Minamino’s dribble and rip in the 29th.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross was put home by Van Dijk to make it 1-1 at half.

Newcastle regrouped after the break and substitute Sean Longstaff could’ve had the Magpies back in front off a Shelvey feed but missed wide.

Origi made it 2-1 when he defied Dubravka just before the hour mark.

Salah then smashed off the post and was denied again when his break was denied by a sliding Federico Fernandez.

Frank de Boer out as Atlanta United head coach

Frank de Boer
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By Joe Prince-WrightJul 24, 2020, 2:27 PM EDT
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Frank de Boer is out as Atlanta United head coach, the MLS club announced in a shock statement released Friday.

[ MORE: All of PST’s MLS coverage ] 

Atlanta, who were tipped by many to win MLS Cup in 2020, were knocked out of the MLS is Back tournament earlier this week without registering a single point in Orlando, Florida.

The Georgia club say that they and De Boer ‘mutually agree to part ways’ but we all know how that usually goes.

De Boer won the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the second-annual Campeones Cup, as he led Atlanta to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference in 2019 and they won their first two games this season before the coronavirus pandemic shut down MLS in March.

Atlanta United released the following statement confirming De Boer’s departure after 18 months in charge.

Atlanta United today announced the club and head coach Frank De Boer have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately. Also departing from the club are assistant coaches Orlando Trustfull and Bob de Klerk and video analyst Erwin Koenis. The club will announce an interim coach shortly while beginning a search for de Boer’s permanent replacement.

“On behalf of Atlanta United, I would like to thank Frank for his leadership and commitment to the club,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “Under Frank’s guidance, the club had a strong 2019 season in both MLS and international competition. After discussing it with Frank, the decision was reached mutually to part ways. In winning two trophies in his first season in charge, he will always be a part of the club’s history, and with great appreciation and respect we wish him all the best in the future.”

De Boer said the following about his departure from Atlanta, as the legendary Dutch player will now seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had with Atlanta United,” Frank de Boer said. “Coaching in Major League Soccer and living in Atlanta has been a wonderful experience and a welcome new challenge. I will never forget the incredible supporters here in Atlanta, they are truly special.  I want to thank the players, coaches and staff for all of their support, it has been my pleasure to work with all of you.”

And that, ladies and gents, is that.

De Boer has always been a coach who divides opinion. At times during 2019 Atlanta looked great but his only full season in charge led to lots of possession without any purpose and the 2017 expansion franchise failed to reach the heights of Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s reign as he left after guiding them to MLS Cup glory in 2018.

All in all, the slow, patient style of play that De Boer wanted to bring to Atlanta was just too different to what the squad assembled by Tata was used to and it never really worked.

This works out best for everyone, but it is a shock.