Shak

Will be sad to see him go but have felt it's a matter of time for a while now. He's just a terrible fit for what Howe wants. If he does stay this summer, he'll be gone next. Feel really bad for the guy tbh, he's clearly tried really hard this year to change his game to fit our style but I just don't think it's meant to be. If we could move him on and get Maddison in without much of a net loss then I think it's a very good upgrade.

Not sure they'd loan him back until he's ready for first team football? A year or two in the academy, then a loan to Boro for if they're still in the Championship. Would be laughs

Ashley going to Whelan's house every week to taunt him like some sort of fat Gus Fring would be very on brand tbf.

Hopefully "sell Raphinha to Newcastle" is one of the steps they're planning to take He'd be such an immense addition, would add so much to our team without sacrificing anything in terms of work rate.

Rigg seems like a very obvious player to bring in. Huge prospect, local lad and crucially we've now got Ashworth in charge so young players breaking into the first team is going to be a huge part of our plan going forward so it'll make sense for Rigg too.

Those wing options, fuck me Maybe there's a thought to play Joelinton LW more, which would allow us to have more attack minded players in CM?

Could be just that what they've seen from Ashby so far hasn't been what they hoped and they want another iron in the fire. Ashby was cheap as fuck anyway, might just have been seen as a decent value buy and someone we expect we'll be able to make a profit on even if he doesn't become a first team player.

Klopp would probably still complain.

Isn't that what happened with Ando from on here?

"I should get the lads together and do mushrooms again soon."

I mean I don't think anyone thought it was a particularly realistic rumour, mostly jokes about how insane it is to even imagine a Messi to Newcastle link. Then you came in calling people childish and cringeworthy for discussing it

Genuinely read this post rolling my eyes a bit thinking about how it's a bit early to be worrying about Champions League squad building because that's a few years down the road before I twigged... It's absolutely mental that we're in the CL next year

Obviously a first choice LB is going to be brought in this summer but I'm interested to see what happens with Targett. I'd hope that last season was mostly just a case of Eddie not wanting to mess with a settled back five and that's why Burn kept his place. If Burn is going to stay ahead of him in the LB pecking order then I'd hope we'll move Targett on and get some money back for him. Maybe bring in a youngster that can be brought along as 3rd choice LB until he's ready with Burn covering it until then? If he's going to be second choice LB, Targett is worth keeping. If not, might be someone we can get something decent back for. Personally think he's been really good for us for the most part, wouldn't really hate him starting next season at LB.

We've been linked with a couple of big name out and out strikers in Osimhen and Roque. I do wonder what the vision for the formation is, long term. I get that you want depth and all but if we did sign Osimhen for example you're looking at a situation where our two best players are probably Isak and Osimhen. When push comes to shove, you're going to want them both starting most games. Maybe it's a case of simply playing Isak on the left but I don't know, I do wonder if Eddie sees Isak playing just off a CF eventually. (I don't think we'll get Osimhen... but man does he seem like an absolute dream signing)

Looks Mint.

I mean at that point they'll be hoping Endrick is ready to kill everyone, surely?

I mean, even if Torres doesn't have elite potential he can still be a really good addition to the squad. Versatile 23 year old winger who has played 35 games for Spain for 25m? That's Chris Wood money

Fairly sure we're happy with either and are making it very clear it's one of the other to let the selling clubs know we won't be held to ransom if they push for too much. Also entirely possible we just want one of them and are trying to make it appear that way for leverage. Fucking great that we're not just gonna throw the asking price at teams and worry about FFP later.

I mean if we sign that big fucker from Napoli he'll obviously be starting fairly quickly. Will be like Botman and Burn this season, I'd guess.

Seems like the plan is to bring in a RCB as Botman's partner. Schar and Burn will primarily be the backup CBs you'd guess but I wonder if we'll see Schar used as a RB on occasion? I'm not advocating making him a full time RB before any of you start, just thinking that it's nice when your backup players can do a decent job in a number of roles and having two backup CBs in Burn and Schar who can also play full-back would give us some nice versatile depth.

Is £87m really under market value for him? Isn't that round about what Bellingham is going for? Anyway, I'd be surprised if there's anything in this. Seems a year or two too soon for him to be getting any sort of itchy feet about a Barca/Madrid move and he'll surely want to play for us in the CL. If it does happen we should insist on getting Raphinha back the other way.

Imagine how fucking in knots we'd all be right now had Leicester scored at the death on Monday

Jesus I'm so happy for that defender

Everyone is just dead on their feet and the quality is absolutely abominable.

It's a two hour drive so not an option. Also he'd legitimately kill me and I could have no complaints