TK-421

'We Enquired' will become the new 'We Tried'.

That Sandro gadgie has joined Sevilla. Another one we wont be getting. EDIT: DOH too slow.

If, and its clearly a big IF, there is any truth in this, maybe Merino's (back) injury is more longterm.. i.e. not be able to play too many consecutive games. Hence us taking first opportunity to offload, especially if we can get this Llorente kid in? EDIT: Aye, what Kaka said

Earlier tweet from same bloke... Mikel Merino depends on Newcastle to be an Athletic player this afternoon. Total agreement for 6 seasons between Navarre midfielder and Athletic. English club already has on top of the table hardly rejectionable by him that far exceeds the 8 million that cost them.

Have to have a listen again to tonights Total Sport. Got back in the car earlier, and apparently they'd had a caller come on that got Ando and Raisbeck rather heated... sounded the implication was that Rafa is also to blame for the lack of transfer activity or something.

Stepping aside for us, then.... cheers Pards!

Another that's probably a load of BS... http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/01/30/report-newcastle-interested-in-signing-real-madrids-marcos-llore/ Major Spanish outlet AS claim Newcastle United and La Liga outfit Deportivo La Coruna are at the front of the queue to sign Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente on loan. The 23-year-old is currently way down the pecking order under manager Zinedine Zidane, with the Galacticos boasting stars such as Toni Kroos, Luke Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Casemiro. It is believed that the Toon, along with Deportivo, are the "strongest" in the bidding to land the Real Madrid academy product, who made his debut under Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez in October 2015 during a 3-0 win over Levante. Spain's Marcos Llorente (L) and Italy's Federico Bernardeschi vie for the ball during the UEFA U-21 European Championship football semi final match Spain v Italy in Krakow, Poland on June... Now, Benitez is looking to form a reunion with Llorente, with Real seeing "no harm" in allowing Llorente to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for the second time on loan during his short career. He spent last season at Alaves. Now with 16 senior Real appearances under his belt, Llorente boasts huge talent and is renowned for his intricate array of passing as well as his ability to read the game and intercept opponents' passes. Real Betis are also interested in Llorente, as are last season's loan side Alaves, but working under Benitez for a second time could tempt the eight-time Spain Under-21 international. Llorente has three and a half years remaining on his contract at Real and although a permanent deal seems very much off the cards at this late stage in the window, the Toon could indeed land the midfielder on loan before 11pm on Wednesday.

Mangala being mentioned again by the BBC, FWIW. Can he play up front???

Someone hoping you'd spread his tweet and get responses? From his Twitter Bio: Football Insider for @TheGamTimes & @SiriusXMFC - Write transfer lines for Sunday tabloids. Proud Teessider & Yorkshireman - lover of @Boro Smoggie Kernt, then. Sure there was a 'Graeme Bailey' who used to Tweet/Report for Sky Sports. Maybe he got peddled by them?

But, but... Caulkin said.... Probably turn out we didn't offer the full loan fee and/or wages. Oh well, still just under 4 hours to pay Feyernoord what they want, for the big fella.

PREMIER LEAGUE Daniel Sturridge close to loan switch from Liverpool to Newcastle United new George Caulkin, Paul Joyce January 29 2018, 12:00pm, The Times Football Sturridge has fallen down the pecking order at Liverpool after a succession of injuries Newcastle United are hoping to complete a deal to sign Daniel Sturridge on loan for the remainder of the season as Rafa Benítez counts on the striker’s scoring pedigree to keep the club in the Premier League. The final details on a temporary switch from Liverpool are in the process of being thrashed out with Sturridge increasingly minded to stay in England as he looks to reignite his stalled career. Newcastle will have to pay a loan fee of about £1.5 million and cover the player’s wages of about £120,000-a-week for the remainder of the season. Sturridge had the chance to move to Inter Milan after the Italians struck an agreement with Liverpool, but the 28-year-old’s delay in taking up that option indicated a preference to go elsewhere. He had hoped Seville would firm up their interest in him by delivering an acceptable offer, yet the Spaniards have fallen short. Newcastle’s hopes of an impending agreement would see them outmanoeuvre the likes of West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United, who are also keen on the player, and he would be a welcome addition of firepower to a side that have scored just 22 goals in 24 league games this season. Joselu and Dwight Gayle, Benítez’s first-choice forwards, have scored seven goals between them in the Premier League. Benítez has turned to Sturridge after Newcastle failed to meet Feyenoord’s £20 million valuation for Nicolai Jorgensen, the Denmark international. It is understood that Newcastle submitted bids of £13 million and £15 million for the 27-year-old forward, but moved on when the Dutch club refused to lower their price. The key will be how quickly Sturridge can rediscover his swagger and whether he then stays fit for the remaining 14 games of the campaign. His priority will be steering Newcastle, who are a point above the bottom three, to safety with re-establishing himself in the England squad only likely to follow if he scores goals. Benítez is hopeful that the carrot of a World Cup place will provide the kickstart which Sturridge needs, benefiting Newcastle in the process. Sturridge’s last appearance came on December 6 when he featured for 18 minutes of Liverpool’s 7-0 Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow. He has made just five starts, scoring three goals, as the likes of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Philippe Coutinho prior to his departure took precedence. Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, left Sturridge out of his matchday squad for Saturday’s FA Cup defeat by West Brom aware that the player’s future lay elsewhere after he asked to leave in search of a regular starting role. Newcastle would be unable to make any more loan signings before Wednesday’s deadline after filling their Premier League quota, having already signed Kenedy, the winger, from Chelsea. They are still in the market for a goalkeeper and have been monitoring Martin Dubravka of Sparta Prague and Slovakia. Benítez was given the go-ahead by Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, to bring in three new players during a conference call earlier this month and Sturridge’s arrival would bring some optimism to an increasingly frustrated fan base that relegation can be avoided.

Haha, just seen Joe Bryan mentioned as being linked with us and Everton on SSN, and he scored yesterday for Bristol City. Their manager commenting afterwards that it would take a 'stupid bid' for them to consider selling their best players. Well, if there's anything NUFC can do, its 'stupid' bids.... it just won't be in the way he hopes.

Signed Kevin Mbabu 31st January 2013, FWIW

58 so far for this week, with Van Diyk to (hopefully) play tonight. Benched Salah on friday when he was noted at 75% with illness, and then noticed on saturday he was available once the GW had started! Dacoure is ahead of him on the bench, so I will only get another 2pts if Virgil doesn't play.

Said it before, but we signed the first of those 5 frenchmen on 21st January 2013, that was 2 days after that Reading match/loss. So they have proved they can get deals done, and spend money when the desire/need is there. Pity it just takes them most of the window, and a panic button being pushed, rather than just backing the manager and seeing the need in the squad when the window opens.

One of the newspaper bits this week said any statement wouldn't come from NUFC, but St James' Holdings who are selling the club. But no official word from them, either.

And we’re meant to feel sorry for Ashley? they love sucking fattys cock the Chronic. The c*** has his price ffs. As long as he wins we’re all good. It's a quote from Martin Hardy's piece rather than the Chronicle. Except that Martin Hardy bit also claims that she turned up at the curry house unannounced, while Amanda Stavely has clearly stated the meeting was organised by Richard Desmond. Yep, and as with other stuff thats come out in last few days, I'm inclined to believe her more than him.

The irony of Mike Ashley complaining and getting upset about someone elses business tactics. Did/has he not made a name for himself due to his business tactics and the like?

A few tweets down, following on from that...

Without jumping off the bridge yet, perhaps Ashley told him the Takeover (based on offers on the table) would not go through. But he may also have told him of the alleged/imaginary offers from elsewhere, so Rafa still had no real need to panic. Also, Rafa may/may not be ion contact with Staveley, so she may be telling him she isn't going away without a trying again. Still, doesn't excuse Ashley ignoring the transfer window until Tuesday gone, if in his mind he wasn't selling for the current offer(s) from PCP. EDIT: Just seen tweet from Raisbeck, which could put that spin above on it, hence why rafa wasn't panicking, if the allusion was the takeover may still happen after this month.

Was probably in a christmas card. "Happy Christmas Rafa. By the way, there wont be a takeover. Love, Mike"

Aye, another Edwards article full of his usual optimism. It reads that its all on her, and she should just increase her offer/give Ashley exactly what he wants, regardless of risk. Bet Edwards is smarting even more today, after she gave her exclusive to Caulkin and The Times.

Its concerning, if not surprising that theres seem sto have been no negotiation from Ashleys side... it appears to have been a case of 'if its not what he wants, he'll just ignore it'. However, I still think/hope that if we get some more points on the board, and the threat of relegation lessens, then she may come back with another higher or revised offer, removing the relegation clauses. However, I'm certain Ashley wont accept anything less, or with clauses in place, unless/until we go down again, and the value of his asset takes a hit again.

Just read the article (cheers TheHoob for posting it). Can't really add to whats been said since. She comes across very professional, unlike the incumbant she's trying to deal with. Each offer seems entirely reasonable, and she/they have clearly called Ashleys bluff in actually submitting them, and he's just gonna keep moving the goalposts until/unless he gets a ridiculous offer he cant refuse, which he won't. Fan pressure wont happen while Rafa is still here (IMO), so we can only hope the media (some of which are in his corner) start cranking up the pressure on him. He can be pressured by them. remember when he said he wouldn't attend the parliament committee thing, then he eventually did? Staveley still wants to buy us, but Ashleys stance of seemingly dismissing offers, even when they meet his criteria means maybe its all just a big game to him.