Alan Shearer delivers Newcastle United verdict as Brendan Rodgers makes transfer admission amid James Maddison speculation

Here, we round-up all the latest stories that have emerged recently surrounding Newcastle United:

Shearer’s NUFC verdict

Alan Shearer has delivered his verdict on where he believes Newcastle United will finish this season.

Shearer believes that Newcastle, who kick-off their season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, will improve on last year’s 11th place finish:

“I'd love to say I think Newcastle will be fighting it out with Manchester United for a place in the top six, but I don't quite see that happening yet.” He told BBC Sport.

“Eddie Howe has already done a great job to turn the club around since he was appointed as manager in November and now my hope is that they will be challenging for seventh, eighth or ninth place, which I think is realistic with the squad they've got at the moment.

“They finished 11th last time, and were only three points off eighth place.”

Rodgers makes transfer admission

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that the Foxes will have to adopt a ‘sensible’ approach to transfers this summer and that they will have to trim their squad before they can bring new recruits to the King Power Stadium:

“I became aware towards the end of the season that the club would have to balance its books, then of course that becomes very difficult,” he told BBC Radio Leicester.

“The club will not look to spend money they don’t have and that is where the club is stable and they will always be very sensible.”

When asked about potential incomings, Rodgers responded: “Not at this moment, no.

“It would have to be about trimming the squad or selling your assets. That’s something that the club are looking closely at.

“It’s where it’s at. The squad needs to get trimmed. Until that happens, I have to concentrate on the players that I have.”

Newcastle have seen multiple bids for James Maddison rejected by the Foxes whilst goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has been linked with a surprise switch to Leicester this summer.