Newcastle United have had their run-ins with Mikel Arteta recently.
The Arsenal manager was unhappy with a certain Jason Tindall during a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium last season before Newcastle’s win at St James’ Park in late 2023 infuriated the Gunners boss.
Anthony Gordon’s controversial winner in November had Arteta fuming and questioning the standard of referees in the Premier League following an ill-tempered clash on Tyneside.
Bruno Guimaraes was perhaps lucky to have avoided a red card after clashing with Jorginho, while Kai Havertz may well have been sent off for a lunging challenge on Sean Longstaff.
Still, things could have been different.
Indeed, Arteta was believed to be one the managers Newcastle talked to during the dying embers of the Mike Ashley era when they looked to replace Rafa Benitez.
Arteta was then assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and rejected the opportunity, with Newcastle ending up with Steve Bruce.
The less said about that, the better.
Now, some insight into those discussions have emerged.
Mikel Arteta told Newcastle to sign Joelinton back in 2019
According to The Daily Telegraph, the signing of Joelinton was discussed with Arteta.
The Brazilian arrived in the summer of 2019 from Hoffenheim for£40m and duly flopped as a striker until Eddie Howe reinvented him as a central midfielder.
The 27-year-old has undergone a remarkable turnaround since and has been hailed as “amazing” by Howe.
While Arteta did not ultimately take the job, he did approve the signing of Joelinton when it was raised in discussions.
Joelinton is set to sign a new contract with Newcastle
The Telegraph also claim that there has finally been a breakthrough in talks with Joelinton over a new contract and that he’s set to sign a new deal.
That is a huge boost for Newcastle, who had feared he may have played his final game for the club after a recent injury.
However, there appears to be good news in regard to his future now.
Arteta is certainly a good judge of talent…
The post Report: Mikel Arteta told Newcastle to sign 'amazing' 27-year-old player back in 2019 appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.