Talk of imminent bid for £20m winger seems way off if these new Mike Ashley claims are true

According to reports in Portugal, Newcastle will submit a bid in the ‘coming days’ for long-term target Rafa Silva.

This comes from Correio da Manhã, yet appear to be way wide of the mark if a new report from the Daily Mail are anything to go by.

Why? Because The Mail’s Simon Jones reports that Mike Ashley is refusing to pay just £4m for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, due to the player turning 28 in September.

This points towards a return to his tedious old transfer policy should he remain owner of NUFC this summer and, if true, would surely rule out any £20m-plus bid for a 28-year-old Rafa Silva!

Who knows what the truth is and whether any of this will even matter – we’re all hoping the takeover battle goes our way and Mike Ashley is gone before the 2021/22 season kicks off – but it paints a pretty bleak picture if Ashley isn’t even willing to pay £4m for a player who cost Southampton £18m just a few seasons ago.

Ironically, this is the man that sanctioned a £20m move for Callum Wilson last summer, with the striker 28 at the time of signing at St James’ Park.

Yes, he was the proven Premier League striker Steve Bruce desperately needed, however we can surely forget about any ‘bid’ for Rafa Silva if the NUFC owner won’t even pay a couple of million for Lemina because 27 is ‘too old’.

Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *