A round-up of today’s NUFC news and gossip:
- Speaking to the Chronicle, Dubai-based reporter Ben Jacobs claims that the Bin Zayed Group have ‘indicated’ that around £150m could be available to Rafa Benitez if a takeover goes through – Read more here.
- Rafa Benitez ‘refused to speak on camera’ about a potential new contract and the proposed takeover when quizzed by Sky Sports this morning – Full story here.
- Speaking to the club’s official website, Jonjo Shelvey has insisted that he’s ‘fighting’ for his place at Newcastle United and will stick around “until he’s told otherwise’ – Full story here.
- According to reports in Turkey, Fenerbahce defender Martin Skrtel is ‘in talks’ with Newcastle over a potential summer move to St James’ Park – Full story here.
- According to north-east reporter Martin Hardy, Newcastle bosses have now given Rafa Benitez a ‘series of contract options’ to consider – despite the fact a takeover could be in the offing – Full story here.
- Rafa Benitez has hailed the importance of Salomon Rondon at Newcastle and says “we will have time to talk” when asked about a potential deal to re-sign the striker on a permanent basis – Full story here.
- According to the Chronicle, ‘there’s a belief’ that Newcastle could pay around upwards of £30m to sign highly-rated Brazilian striker Joelinton this summer – Full story here.
- As takeover talk rumbles on, local reporters are telling us that the club are claiming they’ve actually received ‘no bid’ as of yet from the Bin Zayed Group (BZG) – but this doesn’t add up to me – Read my take on all the latest claims and counter claims here.
Another exciting summer at NUFC. Yet another takeover talk, another contract saga and of course endless rumours about these players coming/going. I reckon many supporters are fed up with all this every year, surely its about time this is sorted once and for all.
There are speculations on how much the manager will have to spend and warned it would not be on the level of Man City’s spending. For me I not that bothered as long as there is decent enough backing to allow the manager (Rafa?) to put in a decent challenge for the top half of the table and not near bottom each year as now.
So on behalf of us longsuffering supporters please can all media from now on say NOWT unless there is something finalised to report? THANK YOU!
Brian Hall(Quote)