Toon talk – a round-up of today’s NUFC news & transfer gossip – 15/06/2018

A round up of all of today’s news & transfer gossip:

According to the Mirror, Newcastle have made a £20m bid to re-sign Andros Townsend from Crystal Palace – however it looks set to be rejected – Full story here.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has admitted that Rafa Benitez’s summer transfer budget will be around £50m plus player sales – however there’s a bit of a twist that exposes Ashley’s devious approach – Full story here.
According to the Chronicle, Porto are yet to match Newcastle’s asking price for Chancel Mbemba – denying reports that an £8m deal had already been agreed between the two clubs – Full story here.

After Real Sociedad entered talks to sign Mikel Merino, reports in Spain suggest Newcastle have now ‘expressed an interest’ in signing their goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli – leading some to wonder if a part-exchange could be on the cards – Full story here.
Forgotten NUFC stopper Matz Sels is said to have been left “deeply disappointed” after fears that his proposed move to Anderlecht may have broken down – with the Belgian giants now refusing to pay more than £1.75m – Full story here.

According to the Mirror, Newcastle have made a ‘tentative enquiry’ over the possible signing of forgotten Borussia Dortmund’s man Mario Gotze – the playmaker who looks set to move on this summer after his recent struggles in Germany – Full story here.
According to Lee Ryder, Mike Ashley has told Rafa Benitez that hell be operating at the ‘lower end’ of the market this summer – something which doesn’t add up after the same article suggested the budget is around £40m PLUS player sales – Full story here.
Rafa Benitez is ‘keen’ on a deal to bring Andros Townsend back to St James’ Park just two years on from his move to Crystal Palace according to reports from the capital – Full story here.

And finally, NUFC’s official sponsors FUN88 have taken yet another swipe at Sunderland – questioning whether Uruguay’s World Cup tie against Egypt was held at the Stadium of Light this afternoon after seeing all the empty seats! – See their tweet here.