KingArthur

I don't think he cares that much if it is 200k or 250k a week. Players want to play at the top. If Newcastle make progress and show ambition, they can win things and convince him to stay. If we sell our best players, it will affect everyone at the club and the future when we try to buy players.

Yea we need striker in any case, or some sort of versatile forward player.

Tbh we really have no idea what is going on. Frankfurt may delay the deal and hope for more money. Hopefully we move on with CB and GK meanwhile

Everywhere I have read the new contract was to be discussed this summer. Player only came back holiday a while ago.

He still has 3 years left. How often new contracts are signed when there is still 3,5–4 years left? Isak himself said new contract will be a matter of this summer.

2. I recall that Isak's new contract was about to be discussed after this summer.

I really dont understand why we would sell for 120 million. We paid 63 million for him, he has been great success and at the moment is our only striker. If we get Ekitike and some alternative backup, that leaves us weaker than last season, with more tough games to come. Bid would have to be enormous for anything to happen. A) I don't think Liverpool have that kind of money, cause neither did Arsenal B) Howe would go mental if this deal goes through, cause we wouldn't get decent options for ST before season starts.

This Mitchell thing smells total bs

But they havent. Of course agent has been in contact and tries to get the best deal for his player

Isak is our only striker. We need 2 if he leaves. Ekitike is unproven in EPL so he is a risk and we are not going to a season him as the only recognized forward.

Only way I see them both is either Ekitike coming in from the left, or, more likely other one dropping occasionally to no 10.

If the deal is for example 45 million + 20 million in easily achieved add ons, the add ons will count on the year they are activated.

Ok ok, I take the L here.

Yes, and we cannot do that yet, because of known reasons.

I accept that if we have decided to sell Isak next year for huge money, or we have already heard he is not going to sign a new deal, we get Ekitike. Until then, I say this is bullshit. But famously I am wrong almost as often as Shadow Puppets so...

Yes they are, but at CF he would be a starter.

But certainly there are options, so that if we don't get Ekitike, but another type of player, that means we are not standing still? I see we are linked with Gallagher and many others, that are not 70-80 million players. Replacing Wilson with a better player is easy, and it doesn't cost you half of your budget.. Yes, we need to improve our bench options, but even at the top they don't have players like Ekitike on the bench. They are starters and key players. Like he would be with us. He would go straight to starting line up and someone will make room for him. Again people are forgetting about finances. We are spending something like 100-200 million less in wages than other top teams, because of the PSR rules. These things take years to change and we are only getting started And yes, if Isak is injured we are fucked. But so was Man City when they lost Rodri, and they have money to spend. We need striker, yes, but we will not pay something like 70-80 million for one.

Maybe you should then clarify what is the bigger picture that I am missing? I know Howe speaks about quality over quantity, but with his playing style and extra games from UCL, we really need a bigger squad. People are saying "but if we buy Ekitike and play with 2 strikers or 4-4-2". But then we would need 4 strikers! Or 3 at least and Elanga/Gordon as a backup there. We have made 1 senior purchase in what 2 years, and we really need quite a few now to manage UCL and EPL. People are talking about title challenge and spending 200-300 million. If this is the expectation then many will sadly feel disappointed..

People are mistaking good players to bring from the bench (like Barnes, Murphy & Trippier) to players that are world class and wanted everywhere. At the moment our finances don't allow us to buy players like Ekitike, if we want to strengthen elsewhere. We can afford to have good players on the bench, not world class ones. Of course we might still get him. But I would also like to have a CB, GK and CM also for the 50-60 games we are playing... I think I can live with Pope with another season, but with midfield options like Willock and Longstaff? Naah..

Seems like I am not, but bringing an attacking player with that much money means Joelinton is not starting. Or Gordon or Isak. All of which are pretty much first names on the XI atm I get what people are saying about ambition and that. But our squad needs bodies elsewhere far more than expensive 2nd striker. We were priced out of Guehi but now we suddenly have 200 million to spend? Not buying it.

Ekitike. He would be guaranteed starter for many big teams. Even at Liverpool. With us he is playing with Isak or when Isak is rested/injured

We need quite a few players. Signing expensive second striker leaves huge gaps in our squad. Really cannot see this. Usually the ones on the bench are cheaper, younger players who are developed. Not 70 or so million striker that everyone is after.

If we change to 4-2-3-1, which I doubt, Joelinton is the one dropping. Or what do you mean?

This is true, but why would he accept that?

Even if we change the system, that means Joelinton is dropped. He was one of our best players last season. If Ekitike comes, Isak leaves next year or Gordon this summer. And still we need CM and a big money defender, maybe even a GK. Dont think this has legs.