Yamal to Miss Newcastle Clash as De Jong Returns for Barcelona

Yamal to Miss Newcastle Clash as De Jong Returns for Barcelona

By Kamal Yalwa – September 17, 2025 BARCELONA – Lamine Yamal will miss Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming the Spain international has not been included in the travelling squad. The 18-year-old winger is still recovering from a groin injury that ruled him out of Barcelona’s 6–0 LaLiga win over Valencia on Sunday. He will remain in Catalunya to continue his rehabilitation ahead of this weekend’s league fixture against Getafe. Barcelona, however, are boosted by the return of Frenkie de Jong, who has been declared fit after overcoming a groin problem sustained during international duty with the Netherlands. The Catalan giants will also be without Alejandro Balde and Gavi, who are both sidelined with hamstring and knee injuries, respectively. Flick’s squad flew to England on Wednesday morning, as they prepare to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, who return to Champions League action at home.

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Man Utd opens Osimhen talks

Manchester United are in contact with the representatives of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as they eye potential replacements for Marcus Rashford, a report has claimed. Rashford is under fire after publicly admitting his desire for a “new challenge” in the aftermath of new head coach Ruben Amorim’s decision to drop him from the United squad for the Manchester derby. He has since been omitted from a further two matchday squads. Central to the issue surrounding Rashford is the fact he earns well over £300,000 per week – reports suggest anywhere between £315,000 and 365,000 – with United needing to offload that salary before splashing out on a replacement. According to Sky Sports Switzerland, United officials are lining up Osimhen as a potential replacement and are already in contact with the striker’s entourage. Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli during the summer after a late switch to Chelsea fell through, but the Serie A side are believed to have the option to recall him in January if they receive a permanent offer. Napoli will demand a fee of around €75m (£62.2m) to sell Osimhen, who has 18 months remaining on his contract and has already been informed that his time at the club is over. Such a fee is expected to be too high for United without significant sales, which is where Rashford enters the fray. United value the 27-year-old at around £40m and could use that fee towards any deal for Osimhen.

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