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What if it was a swap deal with someone like Pulisic?

Bit surprised we haven't had more agent and/or selling club driven links, mind. Can understand the explanation that the clubs plugged leaks from their side, but the other?

No compilations videos with Fort Minor soundtrack. Move on.

Because like Wood, I guess the value is not in the specifics of the finances involved, but in how he helps us achieve our immediate goals. 8th place and a cup run in a couple of years makes us more attractive both commercially and as a sporting project for the next level of players we'd need to take us to thr next level.

Actually totally disagree with this. Bare in mind our very short term target is probably 8th places at best then signing a proven albeit aging striker is no less sensible than signing a young unproven striker - as long as they offer us something in helping us achieve that goal, which Zapata would. What is apparent, is that out and out strikers of the 'right profile' - ie young and proven- are at an absolute premium price wise (and availibltiy for that matter) which we've seen with Isak, Vlahovic, Oshimen, Nunez and even a discounted Haaland going for 70 odd million, which at this point in time seems incompatible with our current spending ability. Personally see no reason why getting someone like Zapata who offers presence on the pitch in the form of pace, strength and work rate wouldn't be savvy business for the next couple of years we aim for 8th and give us time to grow our revenue to be big enough to actually splurge when we need to make that bigger push for European places.

Think Howe buys into squad competition so having someone who's good enough to challenge for a couple of positions makes most sense when the alternatives are only good enough to fill in at best.

Totally agree with this. Improving on Shelvey and Almiron/Fraser/Murphy >> a top class striker and loan option

He will, but for the short term you'd imagine he's gonna be one of the first names on the teamsheet so fitting square pegs into round holes doesn't seem like an Eddie Howe type move.

Tbf even Bruno himself said his favoured position is number 8 role because it gives him the freedom to get forward and support attacks. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-united-position-23724026 I can see him in a double pivot which still gives him that freedom, but I don't see Joelinton being the other and it would be a travesty to lose what Joelinton offers us.

Yes, but even so, some far more than others.

Yeh, it does tbh.

Maybe they mean 80m in terms of contribution to FFP? Edit: this isn't a serious post. I don't actually care how much we spend.

disappointed we only got a Porsche instead of a Ferrari after 14 years of not being able to afford a bus ticket.

Except this time, we're good.

I really wanted us to sign this lad tbh. Not based on anything I've seen of him but by the fact that if Dortmund, Bayern and PSG (read Luis Campos) are sniffing around him, then this guy is the real deal.

Newcastle United just casually beating AC fucking Milan to a signing. No big deal.

Guy reached the top levels of football on pure talent alone and without ever putting in any effort.

Considering we might get half of the fee back on Darlow, it's great business.

I think people forget that this is a 19 year old lad who has absolutely zero attachment of any kind to our club, same with Botman.

Tbf, I'd be massively surprised if there were no clauses that stopped him from pursuing Brighton players for a given period of time.

At this point it makes more sense to sign this new guy than it does signing Botman. Know nothing of him but he can't he that much of a step down from Botman and more importantly it would set exactly the right tone and precedent for other clubs who'll try and stiff us this summer. Edit: After doing some YouTube scouting and reading the comments of my fellow scouts, I am now convinced he is the second coming of Christ and we should definitely sign him.

Total bollocks that, like.

Yeh, I think he was born in the wrong era. He'd have had teams built around him in any other era of football but barring Nice, no-one catered (rightly or wrongly) to his clearly flawed character. Shame because he's probably my favourite ever NUFC player.

I'd be over the fucking moon with that. Honestly not arsed about having a perfect window. All I want it's consistent improvement window to window until we're in a place to seriously compete. If that means improving in only 3-4 of the 6 positions we need to improve on then that's fine by me. I'd hate for us to be the type of fans who take what we've now got for granted.

I do wonder if ASM's unpredictability and high risk style of play impacts Targetts ability to attack. Must he really difficult playing behind him knowing he's not gonna track back if you commit to an overlap and when he loses the ball as often as he can. Should 100% sign him.