STM

If we sign him and that's a big if... it wont be for 80m, it will be closer to the fee we were putting down on Joao Pedro.

Thanks now we have all been put on a register

It's also something which Eddie has historically played. It may well be that we will transition into some 4231 hybrid but it's clearly an option he desires.

I can still see us agreeing a new contract with him but it will have a release clause attached, hopefully only to foreign clubs. I could absolutely see him playing for PSG. Ultimately, as much as we all want Isak forever, the realist in me says we need solid planning and looking on the bright side it gives us massive scope to spend money. Even if Isak isn't our player, he may end up being the golden goose in his exit.

Sounds very much like he's the JP alternative and we are hoping to get some money knocked off the fee. I think its fair to say Ekitike would far surpass any expectations I had on us signing 2 quality attacking players of this calibre. I've long been convinced that we are determined to find someone who can be the long term successor to Isak. 60 odd million for someone who we dont "need" sounds like alot, until you consider the potential of Isak leaving in the next 2 years.

If we were prepared to go near 60 for Joao Pedro, I suppose going a touch more for Ekitike isnt so unlikely. Would be an absolute stunning move. I still cant see it.

With Gary Neville? Fuck that.

Aye its sounds a very good idea but sadly Ben Jacobs played it down. Would be nice.

I dont mean to sound sarcastic but when you say "someone like VVD would be good" it's very hard not laugh and say.. no shit. Any idea where we can find the next best CB on the planet?

If we wanted Guehi, we would have moved by now. IMO we moved on, probably as soon as Liverpool came to the table.

My feeling is that NE journalists DO have good sources but they are only as good as what their sources are willing to tell them at any given time. For example its well known that we are in for Trafford, so they are likely happy to explain there is a gap in valuation etc but its not so much known who some of our continental based targets are and they aren't going to be divulging names, at least not until they are in the public domain already. Keith Downie has explained on a few occasions that he is given names all the time but he wont tell us unless he has them confirmed by multiple sources... which I actually respect. I dont like Luke Edwards and I dont think the club do either. I dont think he gets accurate information whatsoever, I think they actively mislead him. The rest are OK IMO, even Lee Ryder, who just a bit of a dunce.

Weird how hes so close to Botman. Connections between clubs and players etc are always complex. It was clear he knew quite a few of our lads. Feels like this is one of the reasons why Howe and many other managers want to sign players whom they know are good characters. It's like hes been our player for a while.

I want the "Elangas first day in toon" vid. They are the best.

Here's a question, has he been training with the first team or is he still on holiday?

Watched that Adam Clearly vid and more than anything, I can't wait to see them inside channel passes that Bruno does for Murphy. Howe is going to turn him into a pressing monster too.

Sad all over.

With a surname like Mark he must be the defensive set piece specialist.

Remember the Botman one. Waiting for the 1st of July or whatever because of accounting. Like come on guys.

No, no, no. That's not the way Ryder works. We've just hired a set piece coach, so the headline will be: "Exclusive: Newcastle make key signing ahead of new season!" With a picture of Scalvini next to it.

"We dont want to sell him but if you give us this price we will sell him". Great negotiation tactics Atalanta. 43m seems to good to be true. We will start negotions at 25m just for bantz.

Big clubs, with big ambitions who want to compete on multiple fronts dont have "back ups", they have squads with depth in quality. We really need to shake off this idea of having 11 good players and then "back ups". We need 15/16 really quality players. However, to the point you were really getting at... do we spend 60m on a player who is in a position that isnt a priority? And would that player come knowing that they would likely spend time in and out of the starting 11? It doesn't seem likely, especially when we could likely get our number one CB target for 40m.

Eddie Howe would make Jackson very good.

As annoying as it is, I just dont think the thought enters their heads that they need to announce it quickly for impatient fans. Nor should they... But fuck me its tedious.