So far, we have: Nick Pope: Done Sven Botman: Agreed Ekitike: Stalled by agent I don't see Pope as much of an upgrade, except as less prone to injury. Botman looks like a big deal, but Dan Burn has been so solid. Maybe he'll start ahead of Schär. Then there is a strong need for a new striker. If Ekitike is going to be overpriced, we may as well spend next-tier money on a player who's more established. So far, the new management has shown themselves adept at pursuing multiple targets and dropping the problem children who don't really want to sign. Let's hope they move on quickly and pick up at least a FW and an AM/RW. Also, we should be hearing more about players already out of the plan being shipped out, but it's probably hard to find takers.
Hugo Ekitike close to a move to PSG. He was just stalling us to keep us as an option and drive up his price. At least it's good news we won't be dealing with his deceitful agent. A quality forward is what will decide how high we can go this season. I'm looking forward to the next reliable rumor.
Clearly I was wrong about Pope being an upgrade on Dubravka. He made such an impact against Man City, claiming balls that I am not convinced Dubravka would have. His shot stopping has been excellent too. Now I see it. News today is that Alexander Isak will be signed for €70m! That would have to be the end of the transfer budget, wouldn't it? It also sounds wildly overpriced. Until today, we were talking about Joao Pedro at £30m, and we seemed reluctant to pay it. It certainly seems like it might have been better to go with a bigger name earlier in the window. Regardless, a striker will come in and cover for Wilson, which may leave us a little thin in other areas, but it's a complete squad that can challenge the top 6 when healthy, if the Manchester City match is anything to go by. How high can this team finish?
Isak is in the shirt: https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/newcastle-united-sign-alexander-isak/ For once, I hope to see him thrown in to the squad early, but they've done terrific until now by doing it slowly. It's just that Chris Wood as sole striker?!!
I thought I'd try to do a final list of transfers, there were some quick exits right at the end of the window. IN Code: Matt Targett £15m Aston Villa LB Nick Pope £10m Burnley GK Sven Botman £35m Lille CB Alexander Isak £58m Real Sociedad FW OUT Code: Isaac Hayden Loan Norwich Loan with obligation to buy Freddie Woodman ??? PNE Jeff Hendrick Loan Reading Until end of contract Ciaran Clark Loan Sheffield Utd Until end of contract Dwight Gayle Free Stoke Martin Dubravka £2m Man Utd £6m option to buy Fede Fernandez Free Elche Matty Longstaff Loan Colchester Until Jan - which is the end of his contract
So, the 25 man squad was announced this week, Mark Gillespie was left out, as well as Emil Krafth, but only due to injury. There you have it. Our 2022 Newcastle United squad.
I'm sure. Hopefully, we get some legit, but healthy sponsorship revenue soon, though. I'm surprised we could afford to sign Gordon. According to Deloitte, wages were 95% of revenue last year. I don't think the wheels of justice turn fast enough to give them their punishment this season, unfortunately. Champions League money would be a huge boost to our revenue capped development. It would help recruitment, too. With luck, it'll happen anyway
Yah. Making the UCL would be a big boost to revenue and the expectation to spend. As well as an attractant to the talent. Now the Emir of Qatar wants to buy ManU. It’s been a game of the rich for a long time. But I think the ownership shifts are making enough heads turn that they’ll try to use Citeh to curb some of the excess.