Newcastle United have been linked with a whole host of names so far this summer, but apart from activating the clause to sign Christian Atsu permanently, we are yet to see any new signings holding up the black and white shirt at St. James’. No need to panic, however.
Following relegation last summer Newcastle underwent a monumental rebuild, bringing in 12 new first team players. It is vital for us all to realise that the first of those twelve new additions last summer arrived at the end of June in the form of Matz Sels, suggesting that it is still very much early days in the current window.
For those worried about #NUFC's lack of signings – Matz Sels was RB's first signing last summer on 29/06. Wijnaldum the year before 11/07.
— Andrew Musgrove (@ADMusgrove) June 12, 2017
This is supported to by The Chronicle’s Andrew Musgrove, who also points out that, in the summer of 2015, our first signing wasn’t made until mid July in Gini Wijnaldum.
Of course Rafa Benitez and us, the eagerly anticipating fans, would like to get our business done early and make a statement of intent ahead of our Premier League return, but this time last summer Newcastle hadn’t made a single signing – yet we went on to sign TWELVE in the 2 months that followed:
29 June – Matz Sels (£6.5m)
1st July – Matt Ritchie & Dwight Gayle (£12m & £10m)
8th July – Jesus Gamez (Free)
11th July – Isaac Hayden (£2.5m)
21st July – Grant Hanley (£5.5m)
3rd August – Ciaran Clark & Mo Diame (£5m & £4.5m)
24th August – DeAndre Yedlin (£5m)
28th August – Daryl Murphy & Achraf Lazaar (Both £3m)
31st August – Christian Atsu (Loan)
Rafa Benitez will be keen to hit the ground running when the season kicks off on the 12th/13th August at home to Spurs, so it’s clear to see why he wants business done early to allow new signings to integrate and find their feet in the team.
Panic not, however. Despite ‘missing out’ on the likes of Ruben Semedo and Harry Maguire in recent weeks, Newcastle will have several irons in the fire.
It must be said that we will have to loosen our purse strings to compete in today’s market of inflates fees, but it’s still very much early days. Keep the faith – the signings will come.
Kim – yeah this appears to be an eye for an eye attack doesn’t it. It was only a matter of time & I fear it may well inspire other. I truly hope not coz only innocent people suffer in these attacks – but this is as a result of a government who appear to be doing very little other than reacting to these attacks. Coming out and saying ‘our thoughts are with you’ and ‘the city will grow stronger’ doesn’t really cut it anymore – it only leaves some people thinking the only thing left is to take laws into their own hands.
Sharpy17(Quote)
yes mate, worrying times we live in.
kimtoon(Quote)
The papers spread fear and hatred with as much regard for the truth as they do transfers
Premandup(Quote)
Kim – falling into chaos? The Tories have been digging that pit ever deeper for 7 years now although it seems they’ve hit a boulder recently.
Has anyone seen Lejeune play? Is he for CB or DM?
georgio(Quote)
I am surprised this hasn’t happened before given all of the hatred stirred up by politicians and the media.
There have been quite a few instances targeting Muslims over here in the US which usually involve guns as you might guess. There was even a mass shooting killing 6 at Sikh Temple in Milwaukee in 2012. Yes, they even got the wrong religion they were so stupid!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can’t really get into the whole religion thing on here though. I think we all think that these idiots are deplorable.
We should stick to Mackem bashing although I do that in jest. There is no way I would physically harm someone from Sunderland. There is a line that should not be crossed even with verbal abuse because that can lead to a lot more.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
next place for bother Angloa,they dont want islam in their country and have bulldozed 800 mosques 😯 😯
icedog(Quote)
bloody hell Ice, wtf
kimtoon(Quote)
very true mate, couldn’t agree more.
kimtoon(Quote)
He can do both mate but mainly CB I think
kimtoon(Quote)
Shehab KhanVerified account @ShehabKhan · 4h4 hours ago
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The Imaam at #FinsburyPark mosque ‘protected the van driver from angry members of the public until the police arrived’
Fair play to him, I wouldn’t have.
kimtoon(Quote)
Today we are said to be close to signing a Ghanaian DM and a Cameroon striker. I hope we do not go overboard on Africans or it will leave us very short every 2 years. We already have Lazaar, Atsu and Mbemba. I know Lazaar will likely be sold.
shamrock(Quote)
Very sad what happened in London last night. Not productive in the slightest. Just spreads more fear and hate and will likely intensify the depth of determination amongst the fanatics that have nothing to do with the principles of true Islam. Sad and dangerous times. Supposed to be an enlightened and progressive region (the West) ffs. 21st Century and the world is rotten in so many places. Is it really so difficult to just respect other people’s values and get on with life?
shamrock(Quote)
Sham – I guess Rafa is well aware of AFCON. With Aboubakar and Aquar(?) he must think losing them for 6 games every two years is no big deal. Actually now I’ve said it, it sounds OK to me. Transfers are just like that – Ben Arfa’s broken leg comes to mind.
georgio(Quote)
So according to the papers the hold up on this CB from Eibar is we first tried to under cut his €10m buy out clause. Then having agreed to that price tried to pay in instalments.
Looks like coming off that one now tho so will be pleased when it happens.
Personally I would prefer Callum Chambers from Arsenal, but the fee suggested is £15m (nearly double this lads) and I think that’s putting them off.
I’d be happy for us to go and land Gibbs, Lucas, Delph, Rodriguez and Gray personally. But I reckon that would cost us around £50m of his kitty.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I guess we always disagree on potential signings (notably De Jong!) Sharpy. I’d be happy about Gibbs and Lucas and not keen on the rest.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – im not saying those signings would have us up challenging Everton for 7th spot. But I think they would see us finish comfortably mid table – which I know people would say isn’t really ambitious, but I’d take that as a platform to build on.
I maintain De Jong would have been a really good signing though had he not been ravaged with injuries – which nobody could have predicted.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly that’s terrible news about not one Newcastle representative attending Toites funeral.
Stem(Quote)
No more news on the Chinese takeover, probably no news is good news.
Stem(Quote)
They don’t care mate,look at the way they went on with Jonas
Icedog(Quote)
Is that true? If so it’s absolutely disgraceful that like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I said a few weeks ago that the way to be able to get better players in immediately was to do what every other club does and pay in installments. It seems the club are open to this now. I still think we should do this and pay cash if the selling club insists, but ask for a cash discount.
Paying in installments is basically borrowing against future PL revenue and running the risk that it will not happen if you get relegated. It shows ambition but you might end up like the Mackems if it backfires. Doubt that will happen with Rafa as Manager but then again the Fat Man has been known to make some very odd managerial decisions.
Anyway, we are playing catchup because of relegation and paying in installments will allow us extra spending power this year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can’t believe that about Tiotes funeral, I know he wasn’t our player anymore but ffs that’s really poor.
kimtoon(Quote)
What the hell is this Confederations Cup and why is there so little interest in it? I just flicked on a replay of Portugal vs Mexico and saw Pepe, Nani and Chicharito playing so some teams must take it seriously.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Germany are there. Were England ever involved?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ronaldo is playing so Portugal ARE taking it seriously.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric it is a congregation of the winners of each continental competition over the last few years. Almost like a Champions League for International sides.
shamrock(Quote)
Eric, I think it’s held every 4 years and Russia have it as a prelude to the world cup
kimtoon(Quote)
yep, that’s it Sham
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy that’s according to Toites wife. Read it on latest articles mate.
Stem(Quote)
Icedog that’s true mate. They don’t care.
Stem(Quote)
It does make me laugh when media try to drum up failure by saying we miss out on targets – that were probably never even targets in the first place.
They link us with so many players, they are guaranteed 2 articles each time – the false link, then the disappointment of missing out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know you shouldn’t YouTube scout, but just been looking at a couple of clips for Vincent Aboubakar the forward we’ve been linked with – I know, after the post I’ve just made, but I can’t help it.
The kid looks a real good CF. Quick, strong, can score goals, but also has an eye for the pass to play his teammates in as well. Hes only 25 and if the fee of £9m is right, that could be an absolute steal.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Cameroon as well, and mastered the Roger Miller corner flag shuffle as a kid ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
The Chron are reporting there’s no NUFC interest in the player. God knows how they know anything – it was them who reported interest yesterday.!
“They link us with so many players, they are guaranteed 2 articles each time – the false link, then the disappointment of missing out.” Dead right Sharpy.
georgio(Quote)
With Stoke allowing Shawcrosse’s contract to get so low and not yet offered a new one or update, maybe there’s something there for us after all. Stoke are now saying they want a new deal but why have they left it so late?
georgio(Quote)
Sticking with the forwards theme. I’ve watched Abrahams a few times now and the kid can score goals.
But is he THAT much better than Mitrovic (who is only a few years old). Is it really wise to sell a player we own to enable us to bring in a player on loan of similar ability – only to send him back to his partner club at the end of the season.
Would it not be better to stick with Mitrovic? – that’s not me favouring Mitrovic coz I know he has his faults. I can decide ?.
I also don’t know if my indecision is a footballing or business one ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I like this one Sharpy – “Mitrovic (who is only a few years old).” 😀
There’s a better comparison with Gayle. Their style is very similar. I’m not that keen on the kid myself. I might have been if he’d signed when we first showed interest.
georgio(Quote)
Maybe we should be concentrating on Arma rather than Mitro and Abraham. He’s local so 100% committed to Toon and can score. I do think if he’s given good service he could do it at PL level, just needs some faith. My initial interest in Tammy has subsided due to his indecision and the sheer greed of him and his reps.
kimtoon(Quote)
Georgio – what I mean by that is Mitrovic is only 22 and we have big expectation on him. He was playing and scoring goals for fun in Anderlecht first team and for Serbia and was thrown straight into our first team when he came in. But he’s still young & learning his trade.
I just think I for one have maybe written him off too soon. It would appear Rafa isn’t keen based on the game time he was given last season.
So maybe it’s right to cash in on him, I don’t know.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – do you know what, you’re absolutely right!!. I’m not sure Armstrong is ready for the PL yet, but the focus should defo be on his & Roberts development.
Why spend a good couple of million giving someone else’s forward game time, when we could have a couple of diamonds in our own squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Getting pissed off at being fed rumours that are total lies. There’s no interest in the Torino guy or Aboubakar. Rodriguez is off to the midlands, McCarthy to Burnley, Reina’s signing a new contract at Napoli and Mangala is off to Lyon. Add Abraham and that’s 7 players it seemed possible we’d sign all gone somewhere else. 😈
georgio(Quote)
I like the away kit. Irish green ?
shamrock(Quote)
Georgio – I hope the Aboubakar & Rodrigeuz isn’t just rumour coz I reckon both would strengthen our attack. But sadly I’ve seen nothing yet that would convince me that it isn’t just rumours.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sham – it looks decent. I like the design of both. Really like the home kit with the red numbers and names on the back. Reckon I’ll get meself the home one and the boy the away one (his favourite colour ?)
Sharpy17(Quote)
so Abraham is going to the Swans,let him go was a risk anyway plus i dont like bringing on players for other club to get the benifit
icedog(Quote)
As much as I wanted him originally, I said a few times lately that I am less than impressed by his indecision and greed. Had he come to us it would of left a bitter taste , so really not bothered he has gone there.
kimtoon(Quote)
Agree 100% mate
Icedog(Quote)
Don’t know what the hells going on with midfielders/ attackers some rags saying they are signing this week other rags saying they are going elsewhere don’t think anyone knows,it just round and round the roundabouts,I just give up and wait as per normal
Icedog(Quote)
That green shirt doing the rounds is the 3rd kit. Won’t see much of it I hope!
georgio(Quote)
New thread folks:
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/06/21/battle-at-the-back-the-heart-of-toons-defence/
With the arrival of Florian Lejeune said to be ‘imminent’, here’s a look at how NUFC’s centre of defence could shape up next season.
Please give it a read and take all comments to the above thread. Cheers! 🙂
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly I have to get used to spelling some of these players names 😉 I’ll have a read mate.
Stem(Quote)