The latest on Newcastle’s pursuit of Unai Emery as Spaniard speaks out

Two updates concerning Unai Emery and Newcastle have emerged recently.

Unai Emery becomes Newcastle favourite

Unai Emery was first linked with the vacant Newcastle job on Monday.

Sport 1’s Patrick Berger, reported that Emery was now the favourite to become the new Newcastle manager, with the club’s board said to be pushing for the Spaniard as they want to present him in the next international break:

Unai Emery favorite now to become the new manager of Newcastle United, sources telling @SPORT1. #NUFC board pushing as they want to present the former Arsenal boss in the next international break. @NUFC keen to pay a huge transfer fee to get Emery out of his Villarreal contract.

— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) November 1, 2021

Further reports on Tuesday then claimed that the Magpies expect to appoint Emery before the weekend.

Emery speaks on Newcastle job

However, two updates following Villarreal’s Champions League clash with Young Boys on Tuesday suggest that the former Arsenal boss is not actually that close to returning to the Premier League.

Firstly, speaking on Tuesday evening, Emery claimed that, whilst Newcastle have shown interest, there has been no offer:

“Newcastle have shown an interest but I’ve been thinking about the game all day. There’s NO offer. The offer would have to be via the club. I am focused on Villarreal. No more than that. Preparing for Sunday’s game at Villarreal.”

Unai Emery: “Newcastle have shown an interest but I’ve been thinking about the game all day. There’s NO offer. The offer would have to be via the club. I am focused on Villarreal. No more than that. Preparing for Sunday’s game at Villarreal”. 🟡 #NUFC @RyanTaylorSport pic.twitter.com/dQ99nF0dqW

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2021

Then, as reported on Wednesday morning, Unai Emery held positive meetings with Villarreal late into last night and stated he wanted to stay with them:

Colleagues in Spain have been briefed by Villarreal that Unai Emery held positive meetings with the La Liga club late into last night and stated he wanted to stay with them. Newcastle yet to react this morning. As ever it’s ongoing #nufc

— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) November 3, 2021

Manchester City vs Club Brugge betting tips: Champions League preview, predictions and odds

Leicester City vs Spartak Moscow betting tips: Europa League preview, predictions and odds