So far this summer, Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Mark Gillespie and Jeff Hendrick on a free.
Two Bosman’s that have done little to excite fans – despite an acceptance that Hendrick will be a very solid squad member who’ll prove to be a shrewd addition for Steve Bruce.
That said, it appears as though we’ve finally stepped up our attempts to sign elsewhere, with the following deals appearing to be in the pipeline according to widespread reports:
- ST: Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) – Matt Ritchie plus cash
- LW: Ryan Fraser – Free agent
- CB: Rob Holding (Arsenal) – Loan deal
- LB: Dimitris Giannoulis (PAOK) – £5m
So, back to the big question. Would you deem this summer’s transfer window a successful one if we added all of the above to Gillespie and Hendrick?
It’s all hypothetical as things stand and one BIG ‘if’, but it isn’t exactly fantasy talk now the likes of Sky Sports, The Athletic and The Chronicle have confirmed our interest in all of the above is serious.
Losing Matt Ritchie’s energy, drive and intensity would be a blow, but it would be one step back and two big steps forward for me if his exit allowed both Callum Wilson AND Ryan Fraser to sign. After all, the pair bagged 23 goals and 25 assists between them the last time they played a full season together in 2018/19!
Saying that, I’d argue another striker is also needed, even if we do get Wilson, with Muto transfer listed, Gayle out for three months, Joelinton not a striker and Carroll unable to be relied on. Perhaps we could use our remaining loan to bring in another?
Rob Holding on loan is an odd one for me given A) the number of capable centre-backs already on our books and B) his recent injury record, but that deal may prove to be more useful than we think if Schar and Lejeune are on the way out.
Giannoulis would be a risk and may leave some wondering why we didn’t just go back in for Jetro Willems, however he’s a highly-rated 24-year-old who is getting in the Greek national side ahead of Kostas Tsimikas – the man Liverpool have just paid £11m to sign.
It could well be that Fraser wants too much money, we don’t pay enough cash to get Wilson and that we don’t move on enough defenders to make room for Holding, but would you deem this summer to be a success if we signed all of the above?
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It depends largely on who is retained. Atsu, Yedlin, Lejeune are all decent squad players and have their good moments. Ritchie and Schär, especially Schär are Premier League quality (Ritchie makes up in attitude what he lacks in consistency). 5 squad players. Then Saivet who was the biggest waste of £5M ever but actually plays ok when given a chance. Plus Mutu, Aarons, Lazaar who all fail to impress but also for sale so if we have 4 in and everyone goes that leaves us with a deficit of 5 players. Murphy looks like he’ll be second choice so where do the other 4 squad players come from? Youngsters who don’t take up a squad place?
JulioLaker(Quote)