Sky Sports’ Pete Graves has provided a positive update on the transfer front, confirming that Fabian Schar is all set to sign AND that real ‘progress’ has been made on the striker front – stating that it’s been a ‘productive day’ in the market for Rafa Benitez.
After weeks of frustration, which has left us just TWO weeks to do business, this comes as some much needed good news for us NUFC fans.
The North-East reporter also confirms that Matz Sels has ‘gone’ – with him expected to complete a £3.5m move to Strasbourg – while Aleksandar Mitrovic is now said to be ‘close’ to finally sealing a big-money move to Fulham.
Here’s what he’s tweeted in the last few moments – confirming a deal for Swiss centre-back Fabian Schar (who’s expected to sign on Thursday after a medical today), also suggesting we are finally moving close to the signing of a new striker:
It's been a more productive day for #nufc in the transfer market. Merino, Mbemba, Sels all gone. Mitro close to an exit now. Schar on his way and progress made on the striker front too. Still work to be done in the next couple weeks tho.
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesSky) July 25, 2018
“It’s been a more productive day for NUFC in the transfer market.
“Merino, Mbemba, Sels all gone. Mitro close to an exit now.
“Schar on his way and progress made on the striker front too.
“Still work to be done in the next couple weeks though..”
As Pete states, these deals come after the sale of both Mikel Merino (£10m) and Chancel Mbemba (£5-6), so it feels like we may now FINALLY be in a position to bring in some new signings given our ‘sell to buy’ approach this summer.
He doesn’t name any names when it comes to the potential striker signing, however it’s emerged in Germany that a deal for Yoshinori Muto is ‘on the verge’ of completion – so it looks like he may be referring to the Mainz forward.
It’s been a frustrating summer and these two deals will only repair some of the damage created by Mike Ashley’s approach, but it will be a case of ‘better late than never’ as far as Rafa Benitez is concerned.
Fingers crossed these deals can be done as soon as possible. As Pete says, there’s ‘still work to be done’..
Horse ****. I sense Ashley’s PR team at work. Apart from Sels the others have been long gone and the jury is still out on Mitrovic leaving and any incoming striker. Large portion of salt required with this report
Joseph Brown(Quote)
Merino, Mbemba and Sels out £19.5 million in.
Dubravka, Kenedy and Ki in = £4 million, loan and a free.
Mr. Ashley where’s the money gone your nearest casino maybe ??
tojo1530(Quote)
Remember the days of asprilla,ferdinand, shearer and big dunc being signed as strikers happy days. Even kluivert and owen gave me twitches turned out badly tho… wish we could have those days of hope back, now im just hoping muto or whoever he is can kick the ball forward.
Naptoon(Quote)