WilliamPS

Maybe he flew in for a Board meeting where they agreed the plan

Hope he stays, great club servant Darlow is not good enough to be the No.2, he has unfortunately proven that over and over, so if Dubs goes someone else needs to come in - so a loan without obligation makes no sense. Whatever was saved on wages would be lost on a transfer fee.

Have you seen the wages they chuck about? Probably treble his money, if it’s true

After their carry on with Lingard in January they should be rinsed. Twice the price anyone else pays

He should leave for his career, he’s just not good enough for where the club want to be. If he stays his best years will be wasted as a squad player - don’t think he even makes the bench outside on an injury crisis

Have to be realistic about the level of commercial income the club needs. the sleeve sponsorship covers Trippiers wages, that’s it. the club need the full range of commercial deals, like man Utd have all sorts of weird deals like a preferred tyre provider. One or two deals won’t allow the massive investment needed.

This time last year the squad was relegation cannon fodder. Now it’s top 10 material. In one year that’s quite the turnaround. If you look at the teams that go down the most common reason is they cannot defend (hence the career of Sam allardyce, all he did was fix defences), so it’s no surprise when the club was bottom of the league in January the focus was on the defence. That means it’ll be a bit longer before the attacking line up is equally revamped. In the meantime enjoy watching a team compete in every league game, instead of getting battered with 20% possession every time, home and away.

If Pep rates De Jong this would be the most comic move. Annoy Man Utd, demand some cash thrown in and have top level replacement

If they get to the CL proper are they still likely to sell? Presume they will have more cash and will want to go as far as they can in the CL

Win against Brighton and wolves and do well enough against City and can look at some talented hungry players at CL clubs who don’t want to sit on the bench. One of the big issues is players arent willing to take a chance on Newcastle yet - but a strong start might turn their heads, especially if it’s initially a loan.

Leicester need to sell someone to bring anyone in - I think they intended to let Tielemans go, but that hasn’t happened. I think that makes Maddison or Fofana leaving realistic. Leicester won’t want to lose a load of players before the deadline then get ripped off in the market, so I reckon they’ll only let one leave. We have tested their nerve on Maddison and up to them to decide who they want to let go. As Chelsea offer CL and we aren’t in Europe Fofana might kick up more of a fuss than Maddison.

Maddison’s agent trying to get his client more money is nailed on - it’s pretty much his job as an agent. Maddison probably isn’t on big bucks at the moment and for him and his agent it’s win-win, either a move and as a club record signing it’s a big salary - or a new contract on vastly improved terms. Be naive to think otherwise.

The first bid is just exploratory- to see if Leicester make a counter offer, or suggest a deal is possible for the right price or rule it out completely. if Leicester counter with 50m we might be on. If they say no deal is possible the club moves on.

The financing deal is just cash flow management. The tweet confuses the amount of profit/lose the owners are prepared to accept (which includes how big they set the transfer budget) with how the club manages its cash. if the club needed cash to pay a transfer fee they could just a short term loan from literally any bank or even borrow from the owners

They know overpaying this year will restrict next summers window - when in theory the club is a more attractive proposition to more players. It’s fine judgement between not overpaying this year vs failing to strengthen sufficiently to make the leap to European places challengers.

Newcastle scored 44 goals last season, West Ham 60 Leicester 62 Man City 57 Arsenal 61 Within that 44, Fraser scored 2 and Almiron 1. A right forward who can get 10+, plus cover for Wilson is essential to get that 44 up to 60 odd. A lot of the possession stats will improve with Trippier back in the side. Good full backs take the pressure off CBS and CMs and Targett/Trippier were a big reason the possession stats improved post January.

the club will just take loans/overdraft for short term cash needs like transfer fees. if they are equity funding they don’t need to do that at the same moment they are writing transfer cheques. also due to when the tv money is paid, and the season ticket renewal dates clubs tend to be pretty flush this time of year so I don’t think cash flow will be a factor

it would be a massive coup to get him - also feels unlikely as he walks into most CL teams and at his age he may not want to sign up to a longer term project. but if he can be brought in suddenly looking at challenging for 5th instead of 7th (which sounds minor until you look at the difference in points that requires)

Kompany and Zableta were both bought pre Mansour, City had started to spend heavily pre their 2nd takeover although they bought a lot of rubbish. shows the impact of FFP - can’t afford to have a load of flops now, to progress almost every signing has to come off. city bought about 3 big money strikers a year for years until aguerro - simply not possible anymore

Sterling misses a lot of chances - but his great skill is being in the right place to have the chance

Jesus could get 20+ a season for Arsenal but right now not sure he’d get the right service at Newcastle. Don’t yet have the midfield and forward line to create the chances Jesus thrives on, and he does not bring the hold up play and physicality still needed through the middle so might get shunted out wide. if he’d come would sign him up in a heartbeat as on 5 year contract by years 2 or 3 we’d be in business, but from his perspective he’d have an instant shot at golden boot at Arsenal

The team lacks goals, so a RW/RF who can contribute 10+ a season is essential if the team Is to push on. Given the lack of cover for ASM and Wilson another player who can play across the front 3 and carries a goal threat is also needed to provide competition and mean there’s some cover. ekitike is presumably one of these players. The possession stats have been dire but a lot of that has been down to the fullbacks being so poor, esp LB - something that has already been dealt with. I think the plan will be LB (done), RF and CF plus one of either CB or CM this summer. If Botman signs it’s the CB. however, that said, if the club feel there’s a bargain or a player with potential to be at the club for 5 years in any position available at a good price they will take the opportunity. I think that’s what the Henderson bid was about - not especially after a goalkeeper but for 25m felt worthwhile. As it couldn’t be done at the right price the club have walked away and may not look at GK for another year.

Are people not expecting a European place next season? Finished 7 points off a EC place this year, with no wins from the first 14 games. The current squad for a full season could have made it. I don’t think it’s nailed on by any means as Leicester and Villa will improve on last season -Leicester couldn’t really handle the volume of games last year, Villa are improving. But with decent summer transfers EC qualification should be the target, I don’t think they’re pumping 100m in to try and finish 9th

I think we are after a right forward rather than a right winger - someone who carries a goal threat rather than just a creator. That will give the team more balance and mean not relying on the central striker for goals.

players will be looking at what will be achieved during the 4 year horizon of their contracts, not the 5-10 year timeframe it will take to transform the club