Newcastle Confidential can today exclusively reveal the first image of the club’s ambitious plans for a new super-stadium in the city.
The drawing, one of two obtained by Daily Mail Sport, was produced by KSS, the architects leading the project, and shows a cross-section of a new stadium. The bowl-like design has two tiers and hints at a bubble-wrap facade, like Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.
A second working drawing was so detailed that we have agreed not to use it, for the blueprint revealed the exact layout from an aerial vantage and could compromise a future development.
Sources have stressed that both architectural images have been updated, and that plans have since evolved significantly. That, however, is a strong indicator of the club’s preference being a new-build.
Following the Matfen Hall summit in front of PIF last month, it is understood chief executive David Hopkinson and chief operating officer Brad Miller were sent away with clear instructions from the Saudi owners to return with specific information on both a new build and a St James’ Park renovation. PIF did not make a definite decision on which option to pursue, but a new stadium is said to appeal to both the executive team and the ownership.
The drawings, and the subsequent improvement and development of them, show the extensive and detailed work that is going into exploring the new-build option. Leazes Park remains the most likely site were that to happen, with a capacity of at least 65,000. That was the number thought to be attached to the drawings we have. The birds-eye view shows surrounding parkland and there is a hospitality entrance and designated hospitality area within the stadium on the halfway line.
Revealed: The club’s first image of the ambitious plans for a new super stadium in Newcastle
Leazes Park has been earmarked as the preferred site for the new-build stadium
The project – new-build or renovation – has moved beyond the exploration stage and, while supporters and some inside the club were hoping for a clear direction of travel post Matfen Hall, work is intensifying to provide ownership with the specific details they need to make the call that will shape the future of the club.
Meanwhile, the announcement of a new £200million training ground at Woolsington is expected in the near future.
Gordon move hinges on the price tag
Anthony Gordon’s move to Bayern Munich is still dependent on the clubs reaching an agreement on price.
Newcastle are willing to sell, Bayern have him as their No 1 target in the position and the winger wants to explore his options this summer. As one source said, those are the three key components in any transfer.
Gordon has not agreed personal terms with Bayern, despite reports, but the framework of how a package would look has been outlined. Conversations are still taking place.
However, there is still some doubt over a compromise being reached between Newcastle and Bayern on the transfer fee. As one source said, Bayern are very structured in terms of their budget and are pitching at around the £60m mark. Newcastle want at least £75m, possibly rising to £80m with add-ons. Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have all expressed an interest, but the priority for now is Bayern.
Gordon wants any potential exit to be amicable and is very keen to play again for Newcastle this season. But with Eddie Howe admitting this week that his selections have an eye on ‘the future’, it could be that the England international remains on the bench in the final two matches at home to West Ham and away at Fulham.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is keen on a summer move to Bayern Munich but the club have yet to agree a fee
Toon will be pretty in pink
Newcastle will NOT wear Sela as their front-of-shirt sponsor next season – but we can reveal that their new adidas change kit will be pink.
The £25m-per-season deal with the Saudi events company expires this summer and will not be renewed.
Sela could continue as a club partner in some capacity, especially after three successful years in which Newcastle have played Champions League football twice and won the Carabao Cup. The sponsor’s light shows have been particularly spectacular and popular.
But chief executive Hopkinson is now exploring other options, with no definitive timeframe on when a new deal will be, or must be, agreed by. The most important consideration for Newcastle is getting the right sponsor at the right price, and external factors such as the Middle East conflict means many companies have pressed pause on new commercial agreements.
It could yet be another Saudi-based firm, given the relationship enjoyed with Sela. During their time as kit sponsor, Sela won more than 150 awards, including their work for the ‘Unsilence The Crowd’ initiative, which gave deaf Newcastle fans the ability to feel the atmosphere of St James’ through haptic technology embedded in their replica shirts.
Sela launched a UK-based international business arm last year, and it’s believed they see their time with Newcastle as a big success, allowing them to develop the scale of the company. The firm is understood to have won a raft of new business within sport and entertainment in recent months, with heavy involvement in major boxing events and padel tournaments.
Meanwhile, Confidential understands one of Newcastle’s change kits next season will be a pink design, which was modelled by first-team stars last week for promotional pictures which will be released in due course.
Newcastle will not have Sela as a front-of-shirt sponsor next season, after three successful years of partnership between the club and the Saudi events company
Scouting department boost
Newcastle are set to install SEVEN European scouts, focusing solely on elite talent aged 15 to 18.
Confidential revealed last week that former Sunderland assistant boss James Fowler will arrive from Rangers as the academy’s scouting operations manager. He will be responsible for the European scouting operation and will work closely with Paul Midgley, the academy recruitment director, and Paul McLaren, the academy scouting director.
But in a major move, we can reveal that the scouting network for which Fowler will be responsible is set to include seven talent spotters. The effort to secure the best young players from the continent is part of a renewed focus at strengthening the academy under sporting director Ross Wilson, with the intention of developing players for the first team or to sell on for profit.
The areas of particular focus will be Italy, Scandinavia, Germany, Portugal, Croatia and France. I quite fancy the Croatian gig myself!
The Magpies have not made a move for Sporting Lisbon striker Luis Suarez as he does not fit the profile of player the club are targeting this summer
No move for Suarez
Finally, the Magpies are aware of Sporting striker Luis Suarez, but claims from Portugal that an offer has been made are not true.
At 28 years old and with an asking price of around £50m, the Colombian does not fit the profile of player the club are targeting this summer.
That is not to say they won’t make a move were older players available at bargain prices, but talk of Newcastle putting money on the table for Suarez this week are nonsense.
