Hughesy

Spot on.

Can't say I've ever been impressed by McCarthy. Not sure if I'm missing something, but wouldn't go near him for anything north of £15m.

Was just looking to see if he'd done a radar on him but couldn't see one. Must show up well on stats..

Interesting article on Hagi here - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/21/gheorghe-hagi-viitorul-constanta-champions-league-johan-cruyff Apparently Keegan tried to buy him in 96.

Still trying to work out how attractive a club we are - you'd think having Rafa, our relative 'success' in the 90s and early 2000s and size of crowds (if this ever factors into a player's decision) would mean that we are a decent option for most players. Allied with the wages on offer here generally, I'm still surprised that we haven't been linked with a better calibre of player. Maybe the complete lack of ambition that the club has demonstrated over the last 10 years has caught up with us and we are an unattractive proposition, regardless of Rafa etc.

I think they are potentially 4 terrible signings personally.

There probably is a bit of room for error on the transfer fees, but the market value thing is a different concept. The Murphy page refers to his value as being 850k, but his fee being 9.5m. Most of those fees I've listed are in line with what has been reported. I think..

Thing is - I think there is value to be had. Had a look at https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statistik/saisontransfers and there are some decent value transfers that have gone through (admittedly for a few of these, I'm going off reputation rather than having watched them extensively and some would be unobtainable due to the club they moved to being more attractive than us or work permit issues): Driussi - 12.5m Karsdorp - 11.9m Semedo - 11.9m Enes Unal - 11.9m Konoplyanka - 10.6m Dahoud - 10.2m Ounas - 8.5m Bertrand Traore - 8.5m Riedewald - 7.65m Robertson 7.65m Germain - 6.8m Gnabry - 6.8m Lozano - 6.8m Haller - 5.95m Chalobah - 4.85m Gonalons - 4.25m Willems - 4.25m Most of those guys would improve us and they aren't extortionate fees in today's market. And there are a fair few I've missed off the list.

Samba, Terry, Whelan, Jedinak. Quite the pacey quartet there.

Totally agree with the view that prices are ridiculous, but aren't the prices roughly the same percentage of turnover as they have been for the last 15-20 years? Turnover has increased hugely and so fees have increased proportionately. Just a shame some of the extra cash hasn't gone towards lower ticket prices or stadium/academy spend.

Cool - was just reading a few articles that indicated that he wasn't a 9, but haven't seen him play so will defer to those that have!

Has anyone seen Rolan play? I got the impression he wasn't an out and out striker but played as a support striker or as a wide forward/right winger, so I don't think his goal record is that important.

Doesn't seem like an unreasonable deal to be honest if Caulkin is right for a promising English winger. Let's get a few more in now and use the momentum.

Don't really get why Darlow and Krul appear to be being sold - they're both better than Elliot. And Elliot is older than both. Unless we are definitely bringing in a better keeper, it seems an odd decision.

Hardly watched him, hull fans appear to rate him though. Whats so bad about him. Been trying to find the article I read about him that analysed his performance from a stats perspective and it basically said the 'hype' about him was completely misguided. Can't now find said article, but I think we could do better.

Would be seriously disappointed with Clucas.

Seem rumours that Willems is off to Freiburg. Unless he's fallen off a cliff, we should be all over that.

Rather put Woodman in goal now than take Randolph.

Worrying reading - especially given that Hardy must have decent contact with Rafa. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-transfer-news-rafa-benitez-contract-a7837171.html

Thought Rolan was supposed to be half decent in fairness.

Think he'd be a great signing. Get Dolberg while we're at it as well...

Traore looks like he has far more technical ability than I thought - by that I mean, close control when dribbling etc and first touch, rather than his ability to play a pass which looks pretty average.

Would take Hart on loan and Navas on a free in an instant (looks like Sevilla are only offering him 25k a week, so he's relatively cheap). Especially if it frees up a bit of cash to spend money on others.

both seem riddiculously over priced. Hoping we find some Kante-esque gem to be honest as neither seem that overwhelming for the money being talked about. Totally agree - no way we should be paying 25m for McCarthy.

I'd agree with that - think we can do better than Delph for 12m, but it's worrying that the club appear to think that 12m for Delph is an outrageous price.