Matt1892

What position would Chiesa take up in our team?

We had a number of payments included in our wages that were seen as one off rather than all of it being player wage increases. Yet, like with the losses, there were exacerbating factors and Newcastle are confident it will be an anomaly. Steve Bruce, who left his position as head coach in October 2021, received a pay-off of around £8m, which inflates those figures, as does the cost of recruiting Eddie Howe and his extended backroom team, which is larger than previous years. What’s more, Newcastle’s accounts for 2020-21 only covered 11 months due to the COVID-19-affected campaign, while the latest year covers a full 12, which leads to a portion of the increased salary budget. A staggering £14.2m was also added into that pot covering “onerous employment contracts”, which essentially means writing off the wages of players who are no longer considered part of the first-team squad. That is likely to include Jeff Hendrick, Ciaran Clark and Dwight Gayle. Newcastle’s wage bill ranks eighth in the Premier League, behind the ‘Big Six’ and Leicester (£182m), but they are still significantly behind Arsenal (£212m). “Their wage budget is pretty competitive among the ‘Other 14’ clubs but the gap to Arsenal, then the huge gap to the other elite clubs, shows the level of growth needed still,” says Maguire. “Newcastle’s wage-to-turnover ratio should stabilise anyway, while it is even less of a concern if they get into Europe because that brings increased revenues.”

It comes across as opinion more than fact, especially when he’s throwing Man City’s name in.

He’s more of a ball winning defensive midfielder that can get up and down if needed. There is also a scout report from a year ago comparing him to Tchouameni. https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/youssouf-fofana-he-wont-go-under-your-radar-this-time/

We have been linked with him recently so he was probably asked about it after that. https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2023/arsenal-and-newcastle-join-west-ham-in-registering-interest-in-monacos-youssouf-fofana/

From the BBC… Newcastle fans were keen to sign James Maddison, but with Tottenham completing the £40m deal, France's Youssouf Fofana has been linked as a potential recruit. Former Magpies defender Olivier Bernard believes he would be a strong addition to the squad. Fofana has played 140 times for Monaco and the 24-year-old also has 10 appearances for France to his name. Speaking on the latest podcast from BBC Radio Newcastle - which was recorded in the pub Bernard runs in Blyth - he said: "Fofana is an attacking midfielder, with not so much creativity but great work rate. "We compare him to Kante at times because he is hard on the ball and always wants to win possession. He's the type of player you would definitely want in your team and not against you. "It’s important to see this type of player coming to Newcastle because they would change the dynamic definitely."

Head to head.

We can do that now if that was the issue. I don’t think cash flow is our issue either, as PIF just get the printing machines out. The issue is more likely to be that we don’t think he is worth the release clause, so if nobody else activates it then we can put up an argument that he isn’t worth that and try to get a better deal.

Why Spurs moved ahead of Newcastle for Maddison Harry De Cosemo, BBC Sport Newcastle United were long-term admirers of James Maddison, having made two bids for him last summer. But he never quite fit either of the two priority positions the Magpies want to strengthen in midfield. Their main target was a deep-lying midfielder in order to free up Bruno Guimaraes to play higher up the pitch and they are closing in on AC Milan's Sandro Tonali, with an announcement expected imminently. Adding another option on the right of their attacking three is next on the list, as well as a left-back and a right-sided centre-back. But with such a hefty outlay on Tonali, they are likely to take stock before another big move because they are conscious of Financial Fair Play regulations. They expect to make two big-money signings this summer, looking for value elsewhere. Maddison operates more as a number 10. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is a huge fan and targeted him specifically, but with the player keen to go where he was wanted, the first move was crucial and Tottenham reacted quicker. RB Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai is of interest to Newcastle, albeit not at the price of his £60m release clause. BBC Sport has been told the German club expect him to depart though, so that could be one to watch. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united

I don’t see us spending €70 on another midfielder. A right sided forward and a LB are the priority.

If Luke Edwards is saying ASM is staying then he will definitely be off.

Only games shows up. I also have a limit on how many posts I can make which will hopefully go away after a certain time.

I can’t see it either any more, despite posting in there previously.

We have offered £25 million but Southampton want £30 million after Chelsea have received their sell on fee, which would mean we would have to pay around £50 million for him. Good luck with that.

How much is Ivan Fresneda likely or cost in comparison?

There were reports that we were looking at 2 midfielders and a right forward this window so it could be Tonali and Franca are the 2 midfielders and there is still a first sided forward still being looked at.

I’m predicting that out of the blue someone will post that the rumour on Twitter from Germany is that we have had a bid accepted for Moussa Diaby, then it completely snowballs from there.

The talk of him preferring a move to London isn’t a new thing so hopefully we haven’t been wasting much time with it during the summer. I liked the idea of signing him and Szoboszlai rotating between midfield and wide right like Joelinton and Willock do on the left, that idea went out of the window due to us preferring Tonali so hopefully any new wide right play now can also cover up top.

While we still have to pay them monthly having the cash to do that has never been the problem. Our issue is them being an impact on FFP, which they wouldn’t be if we have already written that cost off in one hit. That would be my understanding of it.

If Maddison has decided on Spurs then maybe we are using that money for Franca and Livramento?

Howe will play Joelinton up there if needed.

England have Archer on the bench, a Villa player who was on loan at Boro last season.