Emery confirms interest in Newcastle

The English first division club Newcastle United is apparently pushing ahead with personnel restructuring after the controversial takeover by a consortium from Saudi Arabia. Unai Emery is said to be at the Premier League club, according to a report by BBC are facing a commitment as a team manager. On Tuesday evening, the Spaniard confirmed the interest of the English.

Accordingly, the Magpies want to make the commitment before the league game at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. In order to buy Emery from his current contract with the Spanish first division club Villarreal until 2023, a transfer fee of around seven million euros is under discussion.

In an interview with the Spanish TV broadcaster Movistar Plus Emery confirmed the contact with Newcastle: “You have informed me of your interest but there is still no offer,” he said. “If the offer interests me, I will speak to Villarreal very respectfully.” He did not want to deny a possible exit clause from his contract.

Emery, who had already coached Paris St. Germain and Arsenal FC but was sacked there, had won the Europa League with Villarreal last season.

After the dismissal of team manager Steve Bruce about two weeks ago, Newcastle are still on the penultimate place in the table without a win.

A group of investors, which is largely influenced by the Saudi Arabian state fund under the control of the highly controversial Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had recently taken over the club. The Premier League waved the deal through despite vehement criticism from human rights organizations.