Newcastle United rumours: Magpies tipped to land £27m defender, fresh favourite for Spurs job

The Magpies saved what could have been a disastrous campaign with a strong finish last season, and they'll be looking to take their positive momentum into the new season and get off to a strong start - ideally with some quality new players featuring in the side.

Meanwhile, ex-Newcastle United midfielder Dan Barlaser has spoken out on leaving the club to join Rotherham United last year, and said: “I thought I had a very good pre-season (with Newcastle. I did alright against Blackburn and in the Morecambe game, I came on for about 20 minutes and we were 7-0 up at one stage, so you can’t really show yourself that much.

“He (Steve Bruce) had a chat to say I wasn’t going to be in the squad and said I could leave. Really, I could have said ‘I’m not leaving’. I was on a decent wage, I could have stayed and played in the under-23s for a year.“But I thought I’ll go somewhere where I’m wanted in Rotherham, play in the Championship and show what I can do.”

Here are today's biggest transfer stories and the latest team news involving Newcastle United and the rest of the Premier League, as the reaction to the summer transfer window activity and build-up to the eagerly-anticipated new season continues: