Newcastle to kick-off adidas relationship with Germany HQ training camp this summer, club want TWO new faces to fill Dan Ashworth void… and why Toon are untroubled by Tosin Adarabioyo links to Man United

Newcastle United will be based at the state-of-the-art adidas headquarters in Germany this summer, Notebook can exclusively reveal.

To mark the arrival of the sportswear giant as the club’s official kit supplier, Eddie Howe and his squad will travel to the £850million World of Sports facility in Herzogenaurach in July. They will then return to the UK before flying to Japan on July 28 for a week-long stay that includes two friendly matches.

The Germany trip could also include a game and final details are currently being signed-off. The training camp will feature several commercial activations as Newcastle and adidas embark on a relationship worth around £30m per year to the club.

But use of the world-leading facilities is what will excite Howe, who prefers European-based tours as opposed to long haul. The ‘Arena’, as it is known, features football pitches, tennis and basketball courts, beach volleyball, a running track and swimming pools and is home to more than 2,000 employees.

Arsenal were based at the campus last summer and played a friendly match against FC Nurnberg, the nearest professional club.

PERFORMANCE CHIEF SET TO ARRIVE 

Newcastle are set to appoint a new performance director AND sporting director, we can exclusively reveal.

Dougie Freedman remains the frontrunner for the role of sporting director and it is expected there will be progress once the season has finished. That post will have a recruitment focus and German Johannes Spors has also been spoken to.

However, the club are also looking to install a performance director as their behind-the-scenes restructuring continues in the wake of Dan Ashworth’s exit.

This follows the model at several Premier League clubs, where a performance director oversees the likes of science, medicine, psychology and performance analysis.

Newcastle are determined to improve an injury record that has disrupted their season and seen them record the most days missed of players in the top-flight.

TOSIN STILL ON TRACK 

Newcastle chiefs are untroubled by reports of Manchester United making a late move to hijack a deal for Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Magpies have made an offer to the Fulham defender, who is a free agent this summer, and the 26-year-old is attracted by the project presented to him at St James’ Park.

Notebook has been told that Man United have not made an offer to Adarabioyo and, while there is so much uncertainty at Old Trafford, it remains likely the player will end up on Tyneside.

TOON SCOUTS WATCH LEEDS 

Keep an eye on developments at Leeds United, with Newcastle scouts in attendance at their matches in recent months.

We understand the club will need to raise close to £100m in player sales if they fail to win promotion to the Premier League.

Winger Crysencio Summerville, 22, has been watched by Newcastle, as well as Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool among others. He has scored 20 times from 47 appearances and was named the Championship Player of the Season last month.

Others who could be on Newcastle’s watchlist are goalkeeper Illan Meslier and teenage midfield sensation Archie Gray.

TOON TEASER 

Last week’s question was: FOUR players have taken penalties for Newcastle under Eddie Howe and FOUR other players (not in the previous answer) took penalties for Newcastle under Steve Bruce. The answers were: Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Chris Wood. And (under Bruce) Joe Willock, Matt Ritchie, Fabian Schar and Joelinton.

This week’s puzzler, and the final one of the season, is: Newcastle have long since had an issue at left-back. Indeed, they have signed FIVE left-backs on loan since 2018. Name them.

The answers will be revealed on Saturday morning on our new NUFC-dedicated WhatsApp channel. It’s free and is available HERE.