The January window was dominated by talk of outgoings and PSR issues, while links to right-wingers and centre-backs quickly came to nothing as it became increasingly clear we wouldn’t be signing anyone.
Turkish talent Baran Yildiz arrived in January, joining Kyle Fitzgerald as an Under-21 addition, but there was no first-team additions.
Movement in the goalkeeping department was touted at one stage as Al-Shabab plotted a move for Martin Dubravka. He’s stayed put, but this area of the side could be one to watch this summer if the Slovakian does seal a move to Saudi Arabia.
On the subject of goalkeepers, another has been linked this week, suggesting long-term target James Trafford isn’t the only stopper on our radar heading into the summer.
Newcastle linked with another Lyon star
Three years on from Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival on Tyneside, Newcastle are being linked with another Brazilian currently at Lyon.
Journalist Jorge Nicola claims Newcastle showed interest in Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri in January, but our approach was rebuffed by OL chief John Textor.
However, Nicola reports that Newcastle plan to ‘move forward in the negotiations’ for Perri over the summer, suggesting the 27-year-old is the latest stopper on our radar.
Perri joined from Botafogo last summer and has impressed on his first season in Ligue 1, keeping 11 clean sheets in 29 games in all competitions.
Brazilian outlet Bolavip have also covered the story, claiming Perri would fulfil his ‘dream of playing in the Premier League’ if he ended up joining Bruno on Tyneside.
Goalkeeping department set for summer shake up?
It may seem silly to suggest signing another goalkeeper, but we saw links to James Trafford and Giorgi Mamadashvilli last summer and seem intent on signing a younger stopper who can eventually replace Nick Pope.
Pope’s limited ball-playing qualities may be a slight concern, along with his injury record, which has seen him miss big chunks of the last two season,
Elsewhere, we have Odysseas Vlachodimos – clearly signed in a PSR-deal – and Martin Dúbravka, who is out of contract this summer along with Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy.
ability to make great saves. However, he also has a weak foot and limited skill moves.
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Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Don’t nearly all keepers have a weak foot and no skill moves?
I think you play games too much
Hazzy(Quote)
It’s talking about his distribution and i play none, it’s kind of obvious that that’s what it was about but i guess not to you. All the best keepers in world football have good all round qualities so why waste money on like i say a like for like go for the lad at Liverpool good all round keeper with good distribution or Trafford for that matter.
Why spend money on a keeper with no distribution we might as well keep hold of what we have.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
And not all keepers have a weak foot or skill moves just the ones we have unfortunately, so we need to upgrade.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
It was a big noticeable with Pope yesterday mind. For all he made so decent saves – the amount of times he kicked the ball straight out was a lot in comparison to when Dubravka has been playing.
Don’t know the kid from Lyon to be honest, but there is craic they are in real financial difficulties – so if not the keeper, we should be looking at potential bargains from them I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
yeah Popes distribution is worse than Dubs but neither are any good when it comes to that, that’s why i said we shouldn’t go for the guy linked in this article.
I heard that about Lyon as well it’s why their players are being linked to everyone and anyone atm. Cherki might be worth a look if the price is right but not sure about any others
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Pope was good enough for England until his series of injuries .. “ball playing skills “another narrative washed and rinsed and repeated endlessly by “experts”
Mike(Quote)
It’s got nothing to do with experts 🤦it’s to do with how you play and tactics just look at the prem league and how many teams now have ball playing keepers. The using Pope was good enough for England argument is laughable as well he was back up to a keeper with very good ball playing skills.
The game evolves and keepers have as well it’s the so called jumpers for goal post fans that can’t see it.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)