Newcastle United’s goalkeeping department looks set for a major shake-up this summer, with Odysseas Vlachodimos’ imminent arrival the first of many ins and outs.
After the imminent sales for Yankuba Minteh (to Brighton for £33m) and Elliot Anderson ( to Nottingham Forest for £35m) to ensure we’ve complied with the Premier League’s PSR rules, it was announced this morning that Vlachodimos is set to undergo a medical on Tyneside later today.
It’s not yet known how much we’ll pay for the 30-year-old, who sealed a £7.7m switch from Benfica to the City Ground last September, but the Greek international could arrive as Loris Karius’ replacement if a deal for James Trafford can be agreed.
If not and we refuse to meet Burnley’s £20m demands, we could even see Vlachodimos compete with Pope for the No.1 jersey, as he was playing in a Champions League quarter-final last year and can play with his feet; something that’s drawn us to Trafford. Should that happen, John Ruddy may be one to watch for the third-choice slot, as it was reported last week that we’d made a contract offer for the former Birmingham, Wolves and Norwich man.
On the subject of Dubravka, the 35-year-old faces England tonight for a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and knows his time on Tyneside is up. He wants first-team football, is out of contract next summer and has received interest from Celtic, Saudi clubs and a number of teams in Europe.
Elsewhere, with PSR compliance secured and a new three-year rolling period set to commence, it promises to be an exciting few months on the transfer front, with a young right-sided centre-back wanted – AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw is leading target – along with a quality right winger another striker, with Callum Wilson likely to depart next month following enquiries from West Ham and a host of Saudi clubs.
A £28m move for Lewis Hall will also be announced soon, with the versatile left-back expected to sign a long-term deal after the terms of his loan-to-buy switch from Chelsea were activated based on our league position last season.
All below with the assumption caveat that PSR compliance for period ending June 30th has been achieved.
June has been about retaining and protecting core stars isak, Gordon, guimaraes and joelinton( my order of priority)
So what changes for July-august ?? IMO nothing. Nufc still need RWF, CF,GK and right sided centre back.
Honestly cant reconcile priority for them so it’ll come down to availability and as they tick those boxes what money there is to spend. But I would say RWF is a starter position while the others are squad players and all as young but ready to go if necessary.
Easy peasy🤣🤣🤣
Jonesy(Quote)
It has been. The £68m for Minteh/Anderson have solved that for the period. New three-year window begins next month, where we’ll also benefit from UCL money and new commercial deals.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
With 10 of the starting 11 picking themselves, then we can spend where we need to
PremAndUp(Quote)
So are you of the opinion that we’re essentially rich in transfer terms now, and will be actively improving quality starters and not just depth?
Toonali87(Quote)
So out of interest which staters would be upgraded?
My choice is
Pope; ok
Livramento/ trippier
Schar; ok
Burn/ botman; ok
Hall/ Kelly; ok
Miley; upgrade to tonali
Guimaraes; ok
Joelinton/ willock; ok
Gordon/ Barnes; upgrade required for 2024-25
Isak; ok
Gordon/ Barnes; ok
So single options are most at risk. I don’t think we’re rich as the commercial space isn’t fully developed but there is room for targeted investment in squad depth and first team improvement
Jonesy(Quote)
If Yankuba Minteh turns out to be the next Mo Salah , we might wish we had accepted the points reduction….
Is losing a few points for one season comparable to losing a potential superstar for five seasons?
David Jackson(Quote)