Some positive updates have arrived today on Newcastle’s pursuit of three leading transfer targets.
The Telegraph report that we’ve launched bids for Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga and James Trafford, while Fabrizio Romano has hinted that a could be struck ‘soon’ to see us finally land the latter after ongoing negotiations with Burnley.
Signing all three won’t be easy, especially in this inflated Premier League market, further encouragement has arrived regarding our hopes of landing the £125m-rated trio.
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Trafford has ‘fully agreed personal terms’ with Newcastle, with talks ‘advancing’ between the two clubs to strike a deal. There is now an ‘expectation’ that an agreement is reached in the ‘next few days.’
Moving back to The Telegraph, Luke Edwards reports that Pedro, Elanga and Trafford are all keen to sign at St James’ Park and “would love” to play for Eddie Howe.
The lure of Champions League football is thought to be a factor along with the club’s recent rise, while wage demands would also be no problem for Pedro or Elanga, suggesting there would be no trouble sorting personal terms or persuading all three to sign should we agree a fee with Brighton, Forest and Burnley.
The latter line is a big, big if, however, especially when we will not be held to ransom and have other targets in mind should our Premier League rivals stand firm.
But, with the club now making formal moves and reports suggesting three key targets are all eager to sign, player power could play a part before long and help us edge closer to a couple of much-needed breakthroughs.
I saw us being linked to Bakayoko and Adeyemi. Given Adeyemi can play up front as well as on the right he’d be a good shout and still only 23. Despite primarily being a right winger he scored 12 from open play last season so a much better return than Joao Paedo’s paltry 5 goals from open play.
Bakayoko had a decent season, not as good as 23/24 but still 12 goals and 3 assists. His 14 goals and 14 assists in 23/24 show what he’s capable of. He could be an exciting option for the right wing and he’s still only 22.
If we want Elanga AND Joao Paedo, I’d be far happier with Adeyemi instead of Joao Paedo and one of Elanga or Bakayoko alongside him. We’d have a strong squad then in terms of attacking players, assuming the foreign signings take to the Premier League.
Ian(Quote)
We already had agreed terms with Trafford and Burnley one year ago if (everybody’s love-heart) Amanda hadn’t screwed up royally. None a wonder she got the tin tack immediately after!
So Trafford is a cert, at a mightily expanded price.
See previous post, re PSR – get the lawyers on and ruin the EPL’s indefensible rules. We have all seen what to do and how to do it – Masters and his house of cards only need one more puff and they will not stand.
davewallace(Quote)
Good signings in the right areas but I feel we def need to strengthen our defence too.
Tony(Quote)
Everyone keeps mentioning all these incomings what about outgoings? Can’t keep all of them the wage bill will go through the roof!
Peter Beaumont(Quote)