Dimitar Berbatov
Ever since a fresh-faced Dimitar Berbatov first mentioned that his striking idol was Alan Shearer (and whose isn’t?) rumours linking him with a move to Newcastle have been swirling around. While he’s always remained firmly outside of our price range, and a luxury player the club couldn’t necessarily accommodate, now he’s a free agent the rumours have surfaced again.
While the prospect of signing a 35 year old free agent isn’t exactly mouth-watering, it’s not one that many fans would dismiss out of hand. At his age he won’t be expecting to be starting, and he could provide the expertise and guidance that our young strikeforce desperately needs. Plus a one year deal would probably suit both sides, allowing the club time to develop players ready for the hopeful return to the top flight.
Likelihood? Never say never: this time the rumours might just be true.
imo the only one likely out of your five is otto
icedog(Quote)
I’m not convinced we will sign any of them.
Shamrock(Quote)
Thanks SG, I’m not fussed about any of them tbh and as Ice said the most likely is Otto. There will be loads of Spanish players linked due to Rafa being coach but I won’t read much into it until it happens. Not that keen on Caulker, don’t think he’s lived up to his early promise. Berbatov has to be a joke surely.
Kimtoon(Quote)
I would like to see Gamez in action. He’s 31 now. The old regime would never have sanctioned him coming in but Ashley is desperate to get us back up so he’ll do anything Rafa wants. That’s fine with me.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
he may not have lived up to his early promise, but perhaps Raga is the man to get him back there and beyond
Premandup(Quote)
It looks like Jesus Gamez will come. He is a RB but can play LB as well. Good player, although he is 31. I won’t be surprised if we get a Spanish CB as well.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think Rafa will bring in an experienced CB as well to help Lascelles and Mbemba improve. Lets get a smart, experienced defender Rafa! Somebody who will trod on feet and crack some shins when necessary.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Things are coming together nicely as long as we get the defense set up well. I think we’ll be very difficult to beat in the coming season. Wish I had better access to Championship matches. 🙁
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Prem – I was just about to say that mate. Lascelles didn’t look much til Rafa got his mits on him.
Depends on how much QPR will want for him I guess though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would have thought Arbeloa before this Gamaz link became so strong.
I don’t see Ayala coming, especially if £15m is the fee.
I reckon Vorren will likely be the first CB he brings in personally, but he’ll be looking for younger British CB with experience of the leagues as well I think.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can you remind me who Vorren plays for Sharpy?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Molde in Norway mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He will be used to the cold then 😆
Icedog(Quote)
Aye you’re not wrong there mate 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
So, are we rooting for Wales tonight then?.
I know I am, I fancy them against Portugal as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Caulker has had four coaches/managers and went backwards,Rafa is good but he’s not a miracle worker
Icedog(Quote)
I was on the Chronicle site and a few were hoping Janmaat would leave. I think he probably will to further his international career but someone did mention that he had played under Pardew, Carver and Wally so we might not really know how good he could be. You could probably say that about a few others.
Even though Gamez didn’t get that much playing time last year he was still coached by Simeone so he would have been schooled by one of the best in training. He played 16 times, 7 in the league and I am not sure how much of that was due to injury. Hopefully we will get more information when he signs. The Daily Mail will put up a few pictures of his WAG and his car so that should be useful.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sissoko might have been one of those players who suffered from bad managers. It does seem far fetched that we would be holding out for more than 20 mil. Then again, didn’t West Brom turn down 28 million for Berahino and I did see that Watford had put a price of 35 mil on Troy Deeney who is 28.
I really do think that for the flair players our cheapest option will be to keep what we have got. I mean, a couple of years ago you would never have seen a player with Dwight Gayle’s record go for 10 million would you?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – I understand your concern, but he was only on loan at Saints & Lpool and they never really played him – he was more of a back up player. He looked really good at Swansea but then he was alongside Ashley Williams.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can Gamaz play left back? – is that the position he is being brought in for?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He can play both left and right back he’s also can cover at centre back which he done at his last club
Icedog(Quote)
Good player to have in that case mate. Rafa must be giving him some assurances regarding first team footy to leave Athletico & CL footy for NUFC & CCC footy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need a left back. Heidara is not good enough in my book and I still don’t know if Dummett is a natural LB or a CB – or if he is good enough for the future. If Gamez is our new LB then fine.
Btw Eric, he only had one minor injury last season. He did not play that often because Juanfran was ahead of him in the pecking order. He was only ever a back up player for them.
Shamrock(Quote)
Watching the Wales build up and on about Gary Speed – god it’s hard to watch without getting emotional.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sham – I really have no idea why, but Dummett has become a bit of a cult hero of mind. I’m hoping he gets his chance this season & nails down a first team place.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Come on Wales!!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
C’mon then Wales, this Portugal team aren’t firing on all cylinders this tournament, you’ll never have a better chance.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Apparently the ref is a multi millionaire who just refs for the fun of it 😯
Kimtoon(Quote)
I wouldn’t mind the toon signing James Collins if he isn’t getting a game for WHU.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Irrelevant question but why are both teams playing in their away kits tonight?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I think Dummett is very underrated. We always looked better when he was in the team and we frankly looked appalling sometimes when he was not (Colback, Anita and Aarons all had ‘mares at left back). Sissoko and Wijnaldum gave the left back no protection so I wasn’t bothered that Dummett didn’t get forward as much as some would want. Plus, playing with 4 at the back you can’t have both fullbacks bombing forward. Hopefully, he will fare better with injuries this year.
Pity he wasn’t picked to go to the Euros as I think he deserved it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – yeah you could see how he would easily fit into that Welsh formation with 3 at the back as well couldn’t you.
Sharpy17(Quote)
You know if it continues like this (slow, cagey) Portugal could get to the final without winning a game in either normal or extra time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Portugal are pap, c’mon Wales
Kimtoon(Quote)
FFS, I hate that ****
Kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear, game over surely, real shame. Just hope they don’t win the final
Kimtoon(Quote)
Got to get Bale more into the game in dangerous areas now
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh well, nice fairy tale while it lasted.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – Wales are a force now though, without a doubt.
I was watching SSN earlier today and they said that they have gone from 117th behind the likes of Haiti & South Korea in the World rankings, to the top 10 – within 5yrs!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have given Dr Ed a lot of stick in the past for writing cheap articles aimed at the mass market – but this place is going that way now so I feel reluctant to pretend this place is any better. Today Dr Ed wrote quite a good thread – so he deserves to be acknowledged for it.
http://www.nufcblog.com/2016/07/06/benitez-introduces-productive-new-procedures-at-newcastle/
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – I wouldn’t go giving too much credit mate. Ed tends to cut & paste in a lot of the articles I read.
On here our writes tend to do their own pieces & do a good job of keeping their work fairly neutral to encourage conversation.
I fancy Ed has lifted that article from this piece mate:
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/838663273?-11058:809:0
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fair enough Eric. I still find the content much more interesting than ‘5 players we have been linked to’ – but each to their own. Either way, it is nice to have more regular fresh content these days.
Shamrock(Quote)
Albeit the gazillion adverts on the site make scrolling up and down take an absolute age these days…
Shamrock(Quote)
Oops Sharpy, not Eric ??
Shamrock(Quote)
Ronaldo has 3 assists and 3 goals. Time to give him a bit of credit. Bale v Ronaldo had one clear winner for all the building up of Bale the press were doing.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – close season is always a difficult time for article content, and some people enjoy the transfer rumour mill and some try to actively avoid it.
I think what SG was trying to do was a weekly round up or transfer news rather than a daily drip feed.
Go easy on the new writers mate, they are trying their best & this whole site is a bit of a ghost town during close season. I’m sure when the season gets going the article content will heat up 😉
I will agree about this **** adverts though!!.
Why the **** do I have to see John Terry’s ugly mush every time I post?!?!?!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
So the Geordie v Mackem banter has obviously flowed over the last few months with those scumbags I work with. Even with them discrediting our signings of Gayle & Ritchie.
But I have to say that fat Sam allowed me to dine out with the signing or trial of Zog – god I hope they take him on 😆
There’s a couple who already think they’re having another **** season & a ball hasn’t even been kicked yet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d take Caulker; He was decent at Swansea & Spurs. He wants to sack whoever has been advising him since then as everyone could see Cardiff/QPR were disasterous moves and Southampton/Liverpool wanted back up only.
IMO £4m is a snip for someone of his age & talent
CC(Quote)
CC, you could be right, at that price it’s not a huge gamble financially but if he doesn’t improve us it’s another passenger on the books. Still I guess we could say that about any player really.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, if you are reading, this says Toon could be in for Bristol City defender Flint. Natives round here won’t like that one bit.
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/mags-close-to-gamez-swoop-and-bristol-city-defender-may-be-next-in-line-1-8001096
Kimtoon(Quote)
It is probably in the Sunderland Echo cause Scum were after him last season
Kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rafa-benitez-hints-another-loan-11578253
We’ll have to trust Rafa, but I would like to see Adam stay and play for us, it’s not the PL so you would hope he could fly
Kimtoon(Quote)
I think £4m for Caulker could be an absolute steal personally.
I believe he is better than Willo and Saylor & younger and in better shape than Colo.
Rafa seems to know what to do with CBs (or did at Lpool) and if he can get Caulker on side & focused on his game, then we could get a very good player there.
A lot questioned Lascelles & some all but wrote him off. But look at how he was playing after only 10 games with Rafa – and came out talking like a captain.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – I’m with you on this one like. Unless it’s a short term loan – maybe 3-6mths then back with us. I really want to see him & Aarons integrated into the first team this season & hopefully start a bright future with us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
KIM I always read your posts lol,saw that about Flint,6’5 he’s a big lump how do you rate him? how mobile is he has he any pace at all? I await your take on him lol
Icedog(Quote)
Doesn’t he make you sick,Siko has bleated on about how much he would love for the gunners always been his dream blah blah,in a interview y/day he said if he had choice he would chose L/Pool over them he’s full of ****
SHARPY new rules state loans are now only 6 or 12 months time frame
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, Flint is pretty good, a big part of the City spine they will not want him to go. A no nonsense defender that does his job.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, he has 2 or 3 PL clubs after him, Scum, Baggies and Everton all after him.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, re his pace, he’s not overly pacy but not slow either,he’s an intelligent player, really dominant in the air at set pieces, and he knows how to score too, always helpful from a centre half. I think he got 13 or 14 in City’s promotion season. When was the last time any of our Cb got that many goals.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, the guy just needs to go, anywhere really. Fair weather player for me who is full of himself.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sissoko is supposedly starting for France ahead of Kante because he allows Pogba to push forward and Griezmann to play centrally. He has 42 caps for France even though most are as Subs.
His stats are **** except recently when he has had a good Manager. I am thinking more and more how playing for **** managers and never having a fixed role might have hindered Sissoko and perhaps Gini and Perez? Always playing with fear of losing would have hurt as well. All last season, except a few games, we were in the relegation zone.
You could still put together a good Youtube collection for Sissoko.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not totally defending Sissoko as his final ball is **** and that would be the same under any manager and in any situation. However, he may have had more outlets if we were not constantly on the back foot. So maybe I am making a few excuses for him 🙂 If we can get 20 million it would be a good deal for all.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC he only played a few decent games towards the end of season when Rafa sorted him,I say sell him there’s no way he will handle the cloggers in the ccc imo
Icedog(Quote)
KIM cheers for info mate,sounds a canny buy,if big Sam is after him he must know how to defend
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, Same with Pulis mate, he’s not daft, I can see why the baggies want him. I still don’t see us getting him though, quite recently he said he wants to play Pl football but hopefully with Bristol City. That may show a lack of ambition given it’s unlikely to happen or it may be just him making all the right noises. If he moves I think it will be to a PL club unless the idea of working with Rafa appeals.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Going with France tonight. Their defense is a bit suspect but they have a lot of attacking talent. Muller seems out of sorts so I am not sure where Germany’s goals will come from. Tight, probably 2-1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
SSN saying Gamaz is having his medical at toon today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Manure in talks to sign Pogba for £100m. That is an insane amount of money. He has good stats in Italy but the PL is a different proposition and it was that long ago they ran his contract down because they thought he was not cut out for this division. I’d also question why he would want to go back to a club that ditched him? Moved back to old clubs rarely work out.
I believe he is a good player for sure – but £100m?
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – it’s an outrageous amount of money & if it happens, it could blow the transfer market wide open. He’d also earn £300k pw which is just nuts!!. £80m for Bale was ridiculous but £100m players just takes it to another level.
I’m starting to hate football for this reason if I’m honest. The debt & depression in the world and this kind of money on 1 player is just sickening.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Maybe I’m just out of touch with player evaluations these days. Bournemouth have a bid accepted for Jordan Ibe at £15m. His stats are not that great so far. I hope it’s not the sort of expensive flop signing that cripples them in the long run. They need to be really careful with their finances until they are established because PL money aside, they have a very small stadium and fan base for merchandise etc.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham: I have seen Pogba quite a lot and I don’t think he is in the same bracket as Messi, Suarez, Ronaldo, Bale and Neymar. Maybe he is a superstar in the making but he doesn’t seem to have the talent of that lot. Watch him score a hattrick tonight and add another 10 mil to the price.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Surely if you are getting Jose you are paying him to improve the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and players they already have?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s crazy Sharpy. Children suffering every day in this world and yet elite sport and businessmen could effectively cure it within a few years with a concerted effort and strategy – at little overall cost to the individual – but no….
Shamrock(Quote)
To end extreme poverty worldwide in 20 years, Sachs calculated that the total cost per year would be about $175 billion. This represents less than one percent of the combined income of the richest countries in the world.
….and why has this not been put into place or even broached upon?
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – it’s a complete joke mate, and before anyone suggests we are dramatising things, Sports Relief 2016 raised £68m to help millions of people – or to put it another way, they raised just over 2/3s of a Paul Pogba.
Sharpy17(Quote)