TRon

I don't think that means he'll want to wait until he's retired. Like I said, it's just common sense he'll want us to be challenging for the spots below the CL in the coming season, maybe a shot at the UEFA cup competition.

Yep. And Trippier is 31, he might not expect to be challenging for CL this season, but he'll want to be part of a side that is on it's way in the next couple of years, and that would mean challenging for a European spot at least. It's just common sense even if we don't see any direct quotes.

Agree, but we don't want to be strung along to the extent we lose out on alternatives should he decide he wants to hang around in France for another year. Hopefully the club are in tune with what the kid wants. When we were chasing Carlos in January it was clear he wanted to come, it was his club holding onto him. With Ekiteke there's always been this suspicion that he is reluctant to come here if there's any chance of an alternative, probably on the continent somewhere.

Absolutely. You are spot on in your following post as well, players like Trippier and Bruno didn't come here to work our way up from 11th to 9th next season. We need an injection of genuine quality in at least three key areas of the pitch, and you would expect this summer's activity to be a level up on January's which was emergency mode.

We could have had him but seems like we are all in for Botman. I hope he actually turns out to be the better player. Assuming he does eventually end up here.

Yeah I have always thought he is one of our better quality players. He's not outstanding, but he is a reliable enough shot stopper, and quite commanding of his box IMO. It would take a very good keeper to make a significant improvement.

He's 31 or something close, and they wanted £40m for him. You can understand why we thought nah, we'll try for Ekiteke instead. Even if we don't get him, I'm sure we'll find someone willing to sell a quality 30 yr old striker for a not too stupid fee. We are going to have to accept we'll pay a bit extra for the next year or two.

This.

But the best strikers who are proven are choosing clubs who are already in the CL - see Darwin Nunez for example. there may be older strikers who can do the job for a couple of years, someone in their early 30's say, but we'll still have to pay the Newcastle tax even on those.

This. Strikers are notoriously expensive, and this lad does look like a future star. It's worth hanging in there for now, it's early days. If we do get the feeling he's pissing us about we can move on to the next one. There will always be options, we have barely got into summer yet.

I did think that was his initial position, but he seems to be quite a roving player for that role. He gets forward too much to play that role I'm thinking.

Seems like we are doing this. It really just comes down to how badly Botman wants to be at Milan. I'm sure he'd go there all things equal, but he seems quite happy to come to Newcastle as well. If it drags on much longer with Milan, I think he'll choose us in the not too distant future.

A defensive CM who does that should not be underrated, especially considering the mediocre ones we've had down the years/

Keep having to remind myself that we won't be able to compete for the very best players yet and we'll have to bite our lips and watch them go to clubs already in the CL. Darwin Nunez and Bissouma being good examples. The aim for the next season or two needs to be at the head of the pack just below them, top 6 or thereabouts. First need to close the gap, and tbh that will be pretty exciting in itself.

He's one of mine as well, the ultimate CF in my eyes. A thing of beauty. Michel Platini as well, a wonderful player to watch, his free kicks were like being awarded a penalty. But he turned out to be a really dodgy official when he hung up his boots, I think he had some pretty questionable views as well. But a fabulous player.

If Paqueta is available, I reckon we'd find the money.

Yeah I don't really get that since we signed Targett and Trippier.

I don't even want Sven Botman here any more, he brings far too much political baggage with the sportswashing, and not to mention possibly being tempted by filthy F1 cash from Burlosconi.

Not to mention desperate. It certainly makes Italian football seem a bit less attractive when you see how they carry on.

Anyway Sven Botman - it's nice to be able to go head to head with clubs like Milan for these players.

Spurs have done annyoingly well in the latter part of last season. I wish I could disagree with you but I can't. Anyway fuck Chelsea.

Yeah, understandable he's reclining on the sofa considering, so good point. Needs rest and recuperation.

I've always had a soft spot for Milan, I mean Ruud Gulllt and Maldini, how could you not? But fuck off man, that was then, this is now. If you can't afford him then just step aside gracefully.

When was that? the 1980's? When bouncers were limitedto one per over because West Indian bowlers were too dangerous with them?

Looks in good shape tbh, but how can you judge his fitness if h's not wearing football boots?