By Joe Donnohue
Try before you buy. It’s a familiar concept and one which has most recently been adopted by Newcastle United. The loan signings of Martin Dúbravka and Kenedy in January of this year set the tone for the Magpies’ successful end-of-season charge into the top half of the Premier League table.
Competition for places was created in positions where Newcastle had lacked real Premier League quality. Consistent performances from the loanees were the bedrock to Newcastle’s upturn in form, something which had been missing from the likes of Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy, Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow throughout the campaign.
The capture of Dúbravka earlier this summer was a signal that Newcastle’s intent was to strengthen, as is the case with every Premier League club, but familiar warning signs were afoot. The deal to bring the Slovakian international to St James’ Park on a permanent basis was a cheap one; a reported €2m loan fee followed by a €4m fee to sign the stopper outright.
Contrastingly, a deal to sign Kenedy would be altogether much more expensive. A 22-year-old Brazilian winger who had impressed during his short stint on Tyneside would not come cheap, if at all. Earlier rumours were purported to have said that some of Europe’s biggest clubs were monitoring Kenedy’s progress and situation with parent club Chelsea, leaving many Newcastle supporters resigned to the feeling that the silky Brazilian would not be returning to the North East any time soon.
Nevertheless, the left-sided winger – full name Robert Kenedy Nunes Nascimento, named after the famous U.S. President – has now rejoined the club, albeit on another loan deal. We are yet to find out concretely if an option-to-buy clause will be included or any obligatory future fees, but that would be crucial in securing a real talent and again show Newcastle’s intent to really compete, rather than idling by, securing safety from relegation but never threatening to challenge any further than 10th place.
Newcastle United are not known to have been particularly savvy in their loan dealings – the names Seydou Doumbia, Luuk de Jong and Facundo Ferreyra do little to set Black and White pulses racing – but the addition of Kenedy for the forthcoming season is one which certainly screams of intent. Newcastle, and most importantly Rafa Benítez, appear to not be content with rolling over and letting big clubs beat them to key targets, something which they could be accused of doing in the past.
There is no escaping the fact that United do not have the financial freedom to spend ridiculous sums of money in the transfer market. The now infamous, “I can not and will not” statement perhaps holds more weight than the publication of the club’s accounts when it comes to analysing how much will be spent in the transfer window.
Supporters of a realist disposition recognise that in the current climate, a deal to bring a promising young talent back to the club following an impressive few months is a step in the right direction. A small step, that much is true, but it is an indication that what goes on behind the scenes, despite a certain Spaniard having one hand tied behind his back, is shifting ever so slightly in favour of what is best for the club.
One thing must be made clear however, at no point does this suggest that a certain SportsDirect tycoon’s stance regarding the club’s spending has changed, nobody can know that apart from the notoriously tight-lipped man himself. What it does suggest though, is that by hook or by crook, Benítez is chipping away at the marble that is Newcastle United Football Club.
He may be armed with a rock-hammer rather than a chisel, but the permanent signing of Dúbravka, the re-signing of Kenedy and any other business – which looks likely with just one month remaining in the transfer window – indicates a step in the right direction towards Benítez’s vision for the club.
It may only be the club’s attitude towards loan signings, but beggars cannot be choosers and Newcastle United supporters know better than most, any forward step large or small is worth appreciating after a very sparse decade in that regard.
Sharpy – There’s no chance he will still be here this time next season. Not possible while Ashley is here. He will see out his contract – that’s all.
Stuart79(Quote)
We have about 30 days to see if that is true Stuart. And then we have the hardest start of any team in the PL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What is with all of these bleached blonde haircuts?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
GallowgateShots @GallowgateShots · 12h12 hours ago
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I’ve never been one for demanding #NUFC spend tens of millions of pounds on players, but when you seen recently promoted Fulham splash £35m on a single transfer & still remain interested in buying Mitro for £20m then you have to ask yourself what the hell is going on at our club.
Quite
kimtoon(Quote)
Paul Mitchell @GastonGrimsdyke · 11h11 hours ago
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The company to which NUFC now pays rent for the land near the Strawberry (and will do in perpetuity) is run by Kieth Bishop and Ashley’s son in law.
I never knew this, am I alone ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Yes, Kim. Jabba see’s the benefits of owning NUFC really aren’t linked to how successful the club is or not.
Only supporters can get rid of him.
Stuart79(Quote)
Hmm, yeah, you really don’t get the disrespect claim do you? It’s all too ingrained. Pretty much like Donald Trump thinks he’s only offering realistic advice to you right now.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Ed’s has gone mad with people bickering about nothing. Even BrisV would make sense on there. I know I say some things and have my hobbyhorse subjects (Rooney) but I quite often say stuff just to keep things going or get something started when it gets quiet.
Ed’s has gone batshit Donald Trump-like crazy though. Everybody talking and making no sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Anybody have a prediction for the England-Belgium game? I predict I am going to watch it but don’t care which players play and what the result is. Extra time? Just to drag this after-the-Lord-Mayor’s-show out even longer? Let’s have a speech by Piers Morgan just to make it more of an anti-climax.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I couldn’t greatly care less about the England game. The 3rd/4th place game is a nonsense.
I’m more concerned that with 3 1/2 of the window left we’ve still not improved our team.
Stuart79(Quote)
I really don’t see the point at al of playing the losers game… neither team will want to play it, neither manager will field a first 11, and no fan will ever remember the result in a few months time … total waste of time and effort…
Having said that, it’s a football match and I will be watching it… is that sad..? ?.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Who you talking to Bris ? The English media, us on here, one of us in particular or the English in general ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Realistic advice, hmm, ok .
kimtoon(Quote)
Not one of those players from either side will want to play that game I’d wager mate.
Belgium should be in that final really, France have been awful to watch, not vintage france at all and I hope Croatia beat them.
Best game of the WC for me was Spain v Portugal, final will have to go some to top that one for me.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim wasn’t really bothered about the world cup, but have connections to Portugal, so decided to watch the Spain Portugal game, then I was hooked to the WC.
PremAndUp(Quote)
It’s all about being Number 1. Who cares who is 3rd or 4th.
Why do Newcastle bother playing in the PL when they ain’t gonna win it?
Brisvegas(Quote)
It’s interesting all this anti England stuff from other countries fans you know. I was reading reactions from foreign sports press about 2 days before our semi final game. The Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, Argentinian and German sports writers were all purring about the young lions and how they were as one Spanish paper said , playing with their heads. A few said we lacked a creative outlet in midfield which is spot on.
Yet fans from those same countries have been not been, so kind about the team. Interesting . We get very excited watching other nations great talents and often look forward to watching them over our own players, this WC a classic example of that . Who didn’t have Messi, Ronny or Neymar as golden boot winner. I had Mitro but that was a bit of fun as I said at the time . Don’t remember anyone saying it would be one of our players . That they did better than we dared hope made for a wonderful summer treat along with the glorious weather we’ve had and if we all got a little bit carried away , well who wouldn’t.
When you have a nation so divided as England is right now, to see people come together as one and regain a little pride in our country again should never be apologised for imo.
Who cares if we are the millwall of the world, roll on the Euros and lets see if they can step it up.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, how many times have I been saying that over the last few years. Under his nibs ownership we will never be competitive. Surely the aim of any sporting team, unit, person, is to win something and to that end you should prepare to set yourself up to endeavour to do so. The fact that they openly admitted at a fans forum that cups were not a priority tells you everything and so yes Bris , why do we bother? Because we love the club and will follow no matter who owns or plays for us, a bit like long suffering England fans. When the Toon do well we all get a bit carried away thinking we could win a cup , get into Europe, if you understand that then that’s how the English have been feeling this summer. Call us deluded or arrogant, it is what it is.
kimtoon(Quote)
See Hayden has put in a transfer request. That opens a spot for Ndiye or similar.
PremAndUp(Quote)
“When you have a nation so divided as England is right now, to see people come together as one and regain a little pride in our country again should never be apologised for imo.”
Imo2 Totally agree.
Glorious weather. So not too hot after all
Brisvegas(Quote)
Mark Douglas Retweeted
John CrossVerified account @johncrossmirror · 25m25 minutes ago
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Exclusive: Isaac Hayden has asked to leave Newcastle
kimtoon(Quote)
Lee Ryder Retweeted
Chris WaughVerified account @ChrisDHWaugh · 3h3 hours ago
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Four more signings at least wanted by Rafa – as he admits #nufc are “back at the starting position” with their business so far
kimtoon(Quote)
Hayden has become a bit part player again. Same as at Arsenal. Seems like Championship is his level.
Love the way the Chron says NUFC are searching for a new striker. As if they didn’t know who these guys are and are looking through bars and shops for them.
georgio(Quote)
better now mate, 25 c much more comfy, can sleep at night 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
They are checking under bushes and in hedges as I write mate 😀 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
If as reported hayden’ s transfer request is for personal reasons I hope it works out for him irrespective of his role (or not)at newcastle.
Seems to have been gracious and professional in his time at toon
GlosMag(Quote)
funny how if a player is free they sign him in a couple of days if they cost money they just grag their feet hoping it will go away,its a joke but fans are not laughing ffs
icedog(Quote)
yep , spot on mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Does this stupid game today count towards the golden boot? There is the possibility of Kane and Lukaku playing. Probably a glorified friendly but only 3 subs so will be like the group stage game with a runout for the 2nd stringers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s not the best analogy because there are major gains to be made in the PL for finishing 2/3/4 in qualifying for the CL. Also staying in the PL is many teams actually ambitions and achieving that is like winning a trophy relatively speaking.
I agree about a one off trophy like the WC. It is about winning. A bit like the Fa Cup.
Stuart79(Quote)
Regards Hayden I’m surprised he’s asked to leave. He seemed quite settled but if he’s not getting a game and doesn’t look like getting a game then I understand his view point. I’m not sure we will achieve so much money for him though.
This is turning out to be quite a standard NUFC transfer window hasn’t it…
Stuart79(Quote)
I wonder if Hayden’s Agent already has a deal set up because he really has limited options. You can rule out the big boys in London because he is not good enough. Would Palace or West Ham want him. I doubt it, as he really hasn’t done enough at NUFC to have teams queueing up. Maybe Brighton or S’ton on the South Coast or Watford? Are they near enough?
Then you have the Championship. Millwall and QPR. That’s probably the most likely but it would be as much for playing time as family reasons.
This is a strange one unless he already has an offer as he is limiting himself to very few clubs and some are in a lower level of football with little chance of the PL. Can you really see Millwall or QPR in the PL anytime soon?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Unless Hayden already has a deal struck I am not sure if there will be any takers. He’s really just a bit part player anyway, but a decent backup. We would probably want our money back, how much was that? Like 2 million? It might actually be a blessing if it pushes Rafa to upgrade. Or has he seen the writing on the wall with the arrival of Ki and probably another midfielder? A case of “I didn’t fancy her anyway” syndrome?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seems Hayden wants to leave for “family reasons.” I don’t really understand that as he’s only a 3/4 hour drive away or a 30 mins chopper ride away from home. But everyone is different and if it’s effecting him that badly then he should go back home.
I’ll be surprised if we get a replacement for him. I doubt Jabba sees him has that important to the squad.
Stuart79(Quote)
Hayden’s going to look a bit stupid if nobody comes in for him which makes me feel he has something lined up. And I am sure the story is true because John Cross is on Keys and Gray and all he talks about is Arsenal. I had to turn the sound down as he spoke about whether Wenger would stay or go for the hundredth time. I never quite got how a national correspondent could focus just on one team.
But he does have ties to Arsenal so we should listen if he talks about Hayden.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: you have become very cynical about transfers which I can partly understand as Rafa did not get everything he wanted in the last couple of windows, but:
* He did get everything he wanted when we were relegated. He even got players dropping down a division. We were accused of buying The Championship.
* We have sold Merino and Mitro will go for somewhere close to 20 million. We can play hardball but who really cares if it is only 18 million?
* The outcasts and bitparters are getting offers – Sels, MBemba, Colback, Saivet.
We have quite a bit of money coming in and haven’t spent any yet. We also had to play catch up after the relegation season so there should be PL money as well. Rafa seems frustrated at the prices but after seeing what other clubs are paying, him and the club will just have to accept it or try for players with contract clauses which limits his choices somewhat.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good luck to the lad anyway, if it’s family issues I can’t blame him.
kimtoon(Quote)
Family reasons = bollocks. Get a bid for him and see ya son. Don’t really rate the kid and he’s not pushing Shelvey or Diame for their starting stops – can fill in if they are injured or suspended, but that’s it.
I would bring Kouyate from WH in. I think he’s better than Hayden and would challenge Diame for that starting spot I reckon.
The African cup is now played in June so we don’t have to worry about signing African players anymore.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need to get our fingers out and start signing people now. I said I’d give them time after their meeting with Rafa to get going – they don’t appear to have and it’s starting to **** me off now. Yeung was free and Kenedy was already a done deal in that everything was already in place and the player wanted to come.
We know that Rondon has a buy out clause, we know Lpool want to sell Ings, we know Celtic are prepared to sell Dembele, we know Das Boot is still without a club – there are clearly some deals they can get done fairly quickly – Rondon in particular if he’s a target.
They need to get a bloody move on, coz even Rafa is sounding pissed off by the heel dragging now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sporting have sued Wolves for 49 million for Patricio who ran out on his contract. The Bas Dost situation is not simple and I doubt we would want to get involved in a 40 million compensation claim which is what I think Sporting valued him at.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If it really is true that Brighton are interested in Hayden then it sounds like the fix was already in. Are they really prepared to pay 10 million? What has he done to warrant that valuation? Either the transfer market has gone even more mad or Brighton have gone totally bonkers. Or… it is made up. Snap their hands off.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – then forget Das Boot and focus on any one of the other targets. It’s every window, we always to to complicate it more than anyone else. Rafa said it himself, yes we aren’t the only club who haven’t spent yet – but there are few other clubs that need to strengthen as much as we do.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric, in the end we either do or don’t show some ambition. Rafa will probably be gone end of season and that could also put off players joining .
Ashley will never learn, if he can’t show faith in this manager then I really give up.
You can bet Fulham and Wolves will go all out to stay up, as will West ham and the others who struggled last year, question is will Ashley.
kimtoon(Quote)
You know when you get a song stuck in your head? This must be the strangest one ever for me: it is All Night Long after Shearer did karaoke days ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Rondon with his buy out clause is back-up if we don’t get who we really want. Dembele & Ings are good, but again I don’t think they are who Rafa wants except as replacements for Gayle and Josula. It’s the Mitrovitch replacement that is holding things up, probably because we have not had had a firm offer for him, or it’s waiting on him coming back from holiday.
Replacing Ritchie we know about. Replacing Hayden and MBemba and others we are still waiting for them to go.
Having said all of that There are one or two deals that they could just do. I know who I want, but I sure dont expect them.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I have no sympathy for Hayden and I find this ‘family issues’ ***** a cop out.
He’s from Chelmsford, which is 4.5hrs away from Newcastle.
The lad plays football for a living, which means he gets paid £10k pw for basically training 4-5hrs Mon-Fri coz he didn’t actually play many games last season. His family could come up and visit him and he’s only training for a few hours and can spend the rest of the day with them. Every few weeks there is an international break that Hayden doesn’t get called up for – so there is opportunity for him to spend a few days down Chelmsford then if he wants. The season ends – there’s weeks to go spend with his family.
He earns a small fortune so cost of travelling and accommodation is not an issue for him.
I call bullshit!!. Rafa manages and he’s around 3.5hrs away. Oh and by the way, Brighton is still 2hrs away from Chelmsford – so hardly on the doorstep is it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kimtoon: the money is there though. They just have to accept the new world order and that you have to add 10 million onto a valuation from a couple of years ago. Except for Hayden who I still can’t believe The Chronic are saying that that is what we would get.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Brighton want to pay £10m for Hayden I’d snap their hand off and hand it straight to WH for Kouyate. He’s a bigger stronger more experienced DCM and would push Diame for that starting spot.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: the flight to Heathrow is also only 1 hour. It doesn’t even cost that much, I think I paid like $100 each way.
I think there is some tapping up/Agent shenanigans here.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem – he’s only a back up while nobody else signs him.
The Mitrovic deal can be done by his reps if he’s on holiday. We’ve set the fee, he’s said it’s Fulham he wants to go to and they claim they want him – but they are busy doing other business – **** that!!.
They should be saying, if Mitro isn’t sold by the end of next week we are keeping him. Otherwise Fulham drag this into the final week of the window and leaves us no time to sign a replacement – no way we can risk that happening like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just checked The Chronic and the Hayden article is by Ryder so I am skeptical of the fee but there might be interest there from Brighton as Wor Lee does namecheck Hayden’s Agent in the story so may have done research for once. By research, I mean picking up the bloody phone and calling his Agent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Hayden has put in a transfer request I think he waives loyalty bonus and signing on fee so this might be serious. But DO WE REALLY CARE? He is not that good.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I am not worried about Mitro. If Fulham don’t take him Palace will. Mr. Roy cannot rely on Beneke again, he was absolute dross last year. They would set him up from 6 yards out and he would hit the corner flag. If Benteke had finished his chances then Mr. Roy would have got manager of the year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Exactly mate. I’m some who works 12hr shifts and 3 weekends out of 4 and for a lot less than £10k pw.
My wife works 9-5 mon-fri and of course the boy is at school off weekends – so I know what it is to not see much of the family you actually live with, nevermind the extended family that live away from you.
But I also work with people who have family up in Scotland and another lass who’s family live in Bristol – neither have the spare income, nor are they able to get the time off to see their family regularly – maybe 2-3 times a year if they are lucky.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I’ve no doubt Mitro will go, it’s the when that bothers me mate. Like I say, we would be so naive to allow this one to run into the last week of the transfer window – other clubs aren’t going to be keen on selling their forwards then and weakening their squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Something tells me Mitro won’t go to Fulham, I have a feeling he’ll end up abroad.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I don’t mind where he goes as long as it’s done quickly. But him big concern is that it would be very NUFC to leave it all to the last minute.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I know what it is like to be away from family. I live in Chicago and my mother lives in Newcastle, 1 brother in Thailand and another in Harrogate. The company I worked for went bankrupt so I have taken a few years off using savings to travel and see my family two 6 week trips to England and a couple to Thailand mainly because my mother was going there and I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone and see my brother as well. If Kimtoon thinks the heat is bad in Bristol….
So, I understand Hayden missing his family but every University student does it, every soldier does it. Hell, even every cruise ship worker does it. If he is that weak willed then screw him. I don’t believe him anyway, I think it is lack of playing time and Agent meddling.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not a dole wallah though. Unemployment payments stop after 6 months here. Now I have to look for a job again so I will not be on here as much.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Since you have Trump there I will tell you a story that you probably don’t know about this horrible man. He would have some of his “friends” come into his office and have male “banter” with them talking about who they fancied and/or were having an affair with. All the while he would secretly have their wives on speaker phone because he wanted to sleep with them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Regards England, I’m not sure what Rashford has to do to get a game.
Stuart79(Quote)
Play better?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – what would you do tonight – strongest team again or play the fringe players again?
I wonder how many PL managers have rang Southgate so far about resting their players tonight?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
England and Belgium are playing almost full strength teams in a meaningless game. It is a meaningless game, right? If you asked me to name any 3rd placed team in the history of the WC I don’t think I could do it. I might be able to name the teams but I am sure I couldn’t tell you who won.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Even the last WC I struggle to name the beaten semi-finalists let alone who won the 3rd place game. Brasil was one and I can’t remember the other.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s a rankings game mate isn’t it?!. It’ll be relevant game to FIFA and the FA more than the fans and the players I guess.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just googled it and Holland beat Brasil 3-0 in the 3rd place game in 2014. Can anybody tell me they knew that? Only Pub Quiz experts know stuff like that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why don’t we just sign Ings and be done with it? Keep Gayle and sign another loan forward.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
had to smile Rooney says he was forced out of Everton,about bloody time imo
icedog(Quote)
1990 Italy beat us to 3rd place. It was a good game too.
Dear me it’s taking a long long time for the Toon to get into transfer time. Nearly as bad as the Tories and Brexit.
georgio(Quote)
So Hayden has a partner and young baby down South – that’s not ‘exceptional’ family issues!!.
Move the buggers North, or deal with it FFS!!!.
Like Eric said, there are service men and women in the same position – worse! – coz they won’t get the money & time off Hayden does.
It’s defo bullshit, and the boy wants away. But if we can get £10m for him we can defo replace him with better, so nowt lost.
Oh and I found this on mister family man ….
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/614003/Isaac-Hayden-Newcastle-United-midfielder-shocked-hot-model-bed-kinky-text-choking/amp
Classy!! … see ya.
Sharpy17(Quote)
This is not going to end well in DC either. MLS is not that great but they are fast and they are athletes. Not good news for Rooney. You should read the suck-up piece on him in The Daily hateMail. They still love him and even go so far as to say that there would have been a clamour for his inclusion in the England squad had he scored his 10 (4 penalties) in the second half of the season rather than the first.
Everybody could see he is washed up but still has some skill that you see now and again. We both said it wouldn’t work at Everton Ice, and I am saying that I think he will last 18 months at DC of a 3 1/2 year deal.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Hodgson says Zaha & Townsend are not for sale. So no progress on Ritchie.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I would offer WBA £30m for Rondon and Chandli. Take Ings at £9m and Kouyate for £10m.
There’s the PL and Merino money spent. They aren’t world class signings I accept that but I think they strengthen to squad and that’s what we need.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Didn’t realise Zinchenko was an attacking midfielder in Urkraine. I’d take him for £16m! Ross Barkley could be tempted from Chelsea?
georgio(Quote)