Newcastle United evening headlines: Mike Ashley claim, Diaby advice, Austria dates confirmed

Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Wednesday, July 29.

The Athletic report that Mike Ashley wished to retain a minority stake in Newcastle following his long-awaited exit. All consortium members reportedly rejected the proposals, citing anticipated supporter backlash had the Sports Direct tycoon stayed on.

In a claim filed to the High Court, Ashley suggests PIF were “open” to keeping him on after acquiring the club. However, in defence, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi refute those proposals.

The Magpies’ former owner is suing the couple for an alleged breach of contract after Staveley said she was “looking forward” to removing Sports Direct signage at St James’ Park.

Dietmar Hamman believes his former club will regret not signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby. Reports have linked the Frenchman with a £50million move to Tyneside all summer.

Former Toon midfielder Hamman thinks Diaby would be a “great signing” for the Magpies. He told Genting Casino : "Defensively, Newcastle have been solid with their recruitment. Diaby would've been a great signing for them because he's got plenty of pace, he can create a chance out of nothing and he's a very good finisher.

"Newcastle need to sign a winger with pace and they need someone who puts goals away because they haven't got an out-and-out striker who scores goals and that's the position they need to look at strengthening."

Read more here.

The dates for United’s two pre-season fixtures in Austria have been confirmed. Newcastle will face 1860 Munich on July 15 at the SaalfeldenArena Burgerau before competing against Mainz 05 on July 18 at the Kufstein Arena.

One week later, Eddie Howe’s side will travel to Portugal to tackle Benfica at the Estadio da