Now we’re officially the richest club in the world (I still can’t believe what I’ve just typed), it’s inevitable that we’re going to be linked with some big names.
A pinch of salt is needed at this early stage, with Staveley only receiving the keys to St James’ Park last night, but reports in Italy and Spain have already named TWO alleged targets – Antonio Conte and Philipe Coutinho.
Starting in Italy, Gazzetta Dello Sport claim the former Chelsea boss is a ‘top priority’ for the new owners.
He is currently out of work and available, having left Inter Milan after guiding them to Serie A glory last season.
The front page newspaper report even claims that there is ‘already an offer on the table’ for Conte, however it’s worth noting that The Telegraph stated earlier today that he’s currently unlikely to take over on Tyneside.
Elsewhere, it’s not taken long for us to be linked with a big money move for Philipe Coutinho.
This comes from Sport, a Catalan newspaper, who claim that we have ‘initiated contact’ over a potential ‘€50m (£42m) transfer’ for the Brazilian.
The piece also states that the player’s entourage have been in touch with those close to the Saudi-backed consortium since the summer, and that a cash-strapped Barcelona would be ‘willing to negotiate’ on a price ahead of the January transfer window.
Could the 29-year-old be our Robinho? It feels like an easy rumour to run with for the Spanish press, but he was linked a LOT last summer when the deal was first expected to go through…
I’m not sure if Coutinho is the answer anytime soon! A top striker (to compete with Wilson) and a more physically strong box-to-box midfielder plus one top centre back sounds best to me!
Adam(Quote)
As Above – don’t want to go down this road again where players / names come at the end of their career’s JUST for the £££
Seen it with Barnes, Rush, Pearce, ect…
Need to clear the dross like Hendrick, Fraser, ect..
We want quality, young, Talented Players BUT it only starts with a good Manager
1st steps as we move, is to keep in the league – then next season compete against the likes of Leeds, West Ham, Villa,…
..then we can start to move & yes, Dream!!
All this dribble about Bruce has been keeping the team ticking along – no he hasn’t, it’s been dreadful the past 2 years – talk about mismanagement
KK(Quote)
Rather take Dembele from Barca if they want to cash in
PremAndUp(Quote)
Steve Bruce can’t complain for the abuse he has had on social media for dragging the fans down to despair. Yes it maybe s but harsh all the flak he has had but that’s called life in the hot seat. If he hadn’t of been so rubbish with his tactics then the fans would of been more supportive , Yes he might be a nice person but I disagree A nice person would of shown a bit of integrity and with his record shouldn’t of been acquired in the first place at the mighty Newcastle it’s a disgrace the way he’s left the fans feeling dejected and it’s pathetic his he actually thought he could do this impossible job. He just isn’t the right person to being success to Newcastle and his deluded attitude gets him 8 million. He can’t complain at all.
Steven(Quote)