It is being reported that new Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is planning raids on Spain’s Big Two to bring Raul and Deco to Tyneside this summer.
We’ll look at this story – but beware it is from the News of the World – however it is in line with what we heard last week that Ashley will give Sam the money for one big signing before the summer is out – and that to us makes some sense.
Let’s see what this one is about.
Mike Ashley
The News of the World says that Mike Ashley plans to signal his ambitions for Newcastle United – and put them on the world map – by signing one of the biggest names on the planet.
A source close to Ashley revealed:
“Now Mike has overall control of Newcastle he wants to make a statement of intent to the rest of world football.
“He wants to land a global superstar to show he means business and make everyone sit up and take notice.
“Mike hopes to move over the next few weeks as Raul and Deco face uncertain futures.”
The one thing that this story has wrong is that hopefully Ashley is not picking the players he wants brought to the club – that’s Sam’s job. Therefore we feel the right way to report this is that Ashley will give Sam some big money to sign whatever world class player he wants.
The future of Real Madrid skipper Raul has been in doubt since the sacking of boss Fabio Capelloa and Portugal ace Deco wants to play in England and could be offloaded if Barca land Frank Lampard. We are not sure Raul would be a good signing for us unless one of our strikers goes – and Raul is getting towards the end of his career. However, Deco is a very good player and a winner – and he would be good at Newcastle. We may have to unload one of the central midfielders we already have – probably Emre – but it will be difficult to tempt somebody to Newcastle this summer when we have no European competition.
The above report is at least consistent with the one we heard last week when a source close to Ashley told the Evening Chronicle last Thursday:
“When you look at the incoming and outgoing transfers so far this summer, Mike has only really spent £1.5M because Geremi and Mark Viduka came in on free transfers and Joey Barton and David Rozehnal’s arrivals have been helped by Scott Parker’s £7M sale to West Ham, so from a business point of view, that’s good business.
“We know that Big Sam would like two left-backs and a center-half too, and he will listen to any other possible signings that the manager would like.
“The transfer deadline is not until the end of August and the feeling here is United could be about to pull out all the shots to land a big one.â€
So that would make some sense that Sam would be given the chance to bring in one world class signing this summer. Whether it’s Deco or Raul we’re not sure – but if you asked Sam which player he would like – we’re sure you’d get a quick-fire answer – we just don’t know who his choice might be.
Comments on this one definitely welcome.
64 responses so far ↓
1 Nick // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:07 AM
Well … well … this is interesting … then again it could be one of those summer rumours. I am not holding my breath for this one though …
2 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:10 AM
Nick – yes we know – but it does make some sense that a Billionaire may want to spurge out on one player – we’re not sure Sam will think it’s necessary this year – definitely next year when hopefully we’re back in Europe. If we do reasonably well next season – then next summer is going to be even more exciting than this one – in terms of bringing players to Newcastle.
3 valle // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:15 AM
The only reason the footballing would sit up and take notice if we get any of those 2 is the stupidity of the buy. As u write urself, Raul is on the downer, and Deco plays in a position we are well covered and where we in fact alrdy has bought a player for in Barton. When all that is said, neither of the 2 are world class players, Raul has been but he isnt anymore and Deco hasnt done enough to earn that tittle.
4 sean // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:21 AM
Firstly i think that Newcastle should put a £25M(ish) bid in for valencia’s David Villa. He is amazing! take a look yourself – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0DtbI941sk&mode=related&search=
Secondly Olympic Marseille have a brilliant young player called Samir Nasri. He can play on either wing, centre midfield or just behind the strikers. People in France are calling him the next Zinedine Zidane. Take a look – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbjYyikbUew&mode=related&search= Sorry about the video quality
Lastly it says we’re after a world class player, but it also says we have £50M (ish) to spend on transfers. So, why don’t we buy:
•David Villa (£25M)
•Juan Roman Riquelme – unsettled at vilareal (£10M)
•Samir Nasri (£8M)
In My opinion these are 3 World Class players.
5 sean // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:24 AM
I also think we should sign Leighton Baines
sign Fabio Collocini
sell dyer
sell emre (in an exchange with fenerbache for stephen appiah
loan out some youngsters
and sell owen or martins
6 sean // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:28 AM
We should also buy gudjohnsen, collocini, beye, appiah (swap emre) and possibly deco.
We should sell dyer, emre, ramage and loan out our youngsters.
7 sean // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:29 AM
oh, it sed my first comment wasn’t posted, :S ??????
8 Rich // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:44 AM
i cant believe someone said Deco isnt worldclass… thas just madness, he is amazing.
i agree, i wouldnt be that impressed with Raul signing.
i hope Ashley does spend big, but i hope we dont end up paying 150 grand a week to someone who could turn out like luque or Shevchenko…. i hope sam is making the buys.
9 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:55 AM
sean – i had to OK your first posting – it’s up now.
10 Doctapaul // Jul 8, 2007 at 9:04 AM
Without being in the Champions League it will cost even more (maybe) to attract a world class player.
There is a album that combines satire and genius by Frank Zappa, recorded in late 60’s, called “We’re Only In It For The Money”.
When I think of the so called high rollers (eg Kliuvert, Luque) we got lots of satire – not enough genius.
I take heart from BS however that he only intends to sign people who really want to play for Newcastle and give a sh1t.
We’ve had more than sufficient of those that do not….. (and alas still have one or two.)
My thinking right now is that we still need 3 more top defenders and find a way of bringing in the likes of Huntingdon, Carrol, Edgar and Ramage.
11 sean // Jul 8, 2007 at 9:16 AM
ramage is crap nd i dnt r8 huntington
12 Chris // Jul 8, 2007 at 9:25 AM
Hi
How can the club say they want stability and stop buying ‘expensive imports’ then the papers mention 2 foreign imports who would cost a fortune and surely only join teams in the Champions League? I think it’s all bullsh*t why not buy some defence?
Chris
13 Arthur Prince // Jul 8, 2007 at 9:38 AM
Signings .
Beye RB
Shorey/ Baines LB
Colccini
Appiah
Riquelme
Not sure about Deco now and not Raul prefer Gudjohnson
Marvellous to even think about these players in the Black and White strip
14 Tony_D // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:01 AM
although BSA is choosing the players I can see that Mike could easily put pressure on him (through Mort) to buy a world class player of Sams choice.
15 brandon lee // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:33 AM
viduka, rozenhal (who the hell is that),geremi and barton??? that you called world class?? enough is enough..
come on big sam, its time to jet in couple of big names signing..(since u have got money)
Here its what i think would be good for us.
left back : shorey or quedrue
centre back ( BIG PROBLEM!!!! please take note!!!) : Meye, Rafael Marquez, and coloccini
middle of the park: Deco and Ricardo Quaresma
striker: David Villa
16 valle // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Sean… I agree that Nasri is a good prospect and since we are thin in the flanks he could be a good buy. But if we focuss on who could come in and make the world take notice of Newcastle, then neither Raul, Deco, Riqulme, Villa or Nasri would be of the right stature. We are a big club and all those buys would be good buys, but if we where to make the world take notice then we need to buy a superstar. To the guy that couldnt understand that i said Deco isnt world class… World class is used way to much, people throw it around till it stops having any true meaning. Deco is a good player who can do well in technical leagues like in Spain and Portugal, but that is all he is, we have no idea whether he can deal with the physical nature of EPL and he is NOT world class… Kaka, Ronaldinho and even Gerard perhaps, but i cant see us getting any of those (Ofc there are more, but try to catch my drift)
17 Fergie // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:39 AM
signing raul would almost be like signing Kluivert. both old, past it players looking to chance it in the preiership on high wage packets, hoping for the goals to come to them, rather than putting the effort in to get them themselves. Admittedly, I thik Raul would be better than Kluivert, but would he be better than Martins, Owen or Viduka? especially given the period of tim needed for him to settle in. As for Deco, I would welcome him with open arms but would he come to Newcastle? I doubt it. He is a true goal-scoring midfielder who will chip in 5-10 goals a season. Something we desperately need and I hope Barton can be the man. But Deco will only leave Barca if they get Lampard. In that case, Chelsea will want a good replacement, of which Deco fits the bill and dunnily enough, also knows Mourinho from their time at Porto. Both long shots. If we are going to rock the world of football, then it should be by signing Royston Drenthe, who is good friends with Timmy Krul
18 nightfall // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Arthur Prince – that would be perfect… also…nasri would be great… what do you all think of K. Benzema (AMR/ST)??
19 Doctapaul // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Well put Fergie.
20 FinMagpie // Jul 8, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Royston Drenthe isn’t that good player. And he’s much better winger than full-back. And in future he will play at the wing. We don’t need him!
Huntelaar isn’t yet a world beater but in future he will be. The next “horseface” maybe? I say that we go all-in for him.
21 chris // Jul 8, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Omg i cant believe most of you, saying ” Deco isnt world class” *couth* valle, he is one of the best center midfeilders in the world!, with the likes of gerrard and lampard! and some of you are saying that we are already well coverd there… id rather have him that nicky butt, emre and barton….
22 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2007 at 11:48 AM
chris – we agree – defense must be our number 1 target – 3 additional defenders – Beye, Shorey or Bridge and Brede Hangeland or Fabricio Coloccini.
We’ll also have Edmilson coming on Jan 1st we think. Then we can go for one more midfielder – maybe two.
23 Andreas // Jul 8, 2007 at 11:50 AM
I have said it before and I say it again – Philip Lahm would be my choice since he’s a world class full back, something we do need.
However, buying Lahm will not be an option, atleast until we play CL again (can’t see a player like Lahm sign for us even if we offer him something crazy like £150-200k/w).
24 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Fergie – Royston Drenthe would be great – we’ve got to stop the top 4 from getting all the good players – they will not get a game at Chelsea and they’ll probably lend them out. Too much monoploly in the Premiership right now – hopefully Newcastle, WHU, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Portsmouth are teams that can help break it up.
25 cooldj // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:26 PM
kluivert
26 cooldj // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:27 PM
ronaldo (the fat one)
27 cooldj // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:29 PM
snatch tevez from under man u’s nose
28 FinMagpie // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:33 PM
Ed how u can say that Royston Drenthe is great? He played well in U21 tounament but he isn’t defender in adult level. He is winger and will play there in future. Ask anybodywho lives in Holland and they tell u the same. He hasn’t been impressive in eredivisie and he has long way to become world class. Much potential but at the moment pretty average player imo…
29 bob // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:34 PM
The signing of Deco would be great and is what we need as our centre midfielders are good but nt great and deffinately nt world class. so this is the team i would love to see us start the season with
Given
Beye Taylor Coloccini Bridge
Milner Barton Deco ?.?.?.?.?.?
Owen Martins
nt ure bout left midfield as Duff is injured and obviously has been a let down and N’Zogbia needs to proove himself once again but if we were to get the defence tht ive have mentioned sam would have to get his act together in the transfer market and he needs to do it A.S.A.P . Not 100% sure bout Coloccini but im sure he would do fine but i would prefer to see a real to class defender. Also Sam looks like he might wanna use the 4-3-3 formation so i dnt kno how tht would work with Owen and Martins as neither seem suited for it.
30 Cockney Magpie // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:44 PM
wel i certainly will not be complaining if i see deco and raul in newcastle shirts next season, just think about all the champions league experience they have and if we can get 4th spot next season which is very possible, we will also be able to handle it in europe with players like them plus im pretty sure mike ashley and Big Sam will not pay somebody 150k a week if they dont think its gonna be worth it, i think they are planning for champions league football the season after next.
31 Cockney Magpie // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:47 PM
cool dj how long av u been supporting newcastle? do not remember kluivert!!?
32 nightfall // Jul 8, 2007 at 2:16 PM
i think we should build squad for the future…and getting deco, raul…who are both 30…i don’t think that would be a great idea… i mean…they’re both great players, but before they adapt…that could take too much time…and then they’d be too old…
33 Keep Oba // Jul 8, 2007 at 2:27 PM
i would love to go after Samir Nasri…He is one of my favorite youthful players. And I do like Deco…and he is world class…as far as left back I would like to go after Riise or Taye Taiwo, two left backs with big legs.
34 Ben // Jul 8, 2007 at 2:29 PM
deco is world class.:.Raul Is past it.:.but would inspire the youngsters….but lets forget the world class bit at the moment…
signings:
beye
shorey
quedre [ get rid of babayaro somehow]
Appiah
Huntelaar [ one for the future and cover for injuries]
after that if we have money,
Get Riquelme
And….id love to see tevez in black ‘n’ white
35 Keep Oba // Jul 8, 2007 at 2:33 PM
Tevez is with the red devils already
36 Keep Oba // Jul 8, 2007 at 2:44 PM
Well…not 100% there…but it looks pretty much wrapped up.
37 nightfall // Jul 8, 2007 at 3:04 PM
signings:
emre for appiah
riquelme
dyer + martins for berbatov
coloccini
sagna
baines
that’s all we need…
38 nightfall // Jul 8, 2007 at 3:12 PM
if we sign these players our sqoud would be:
GK: given, harper
LB: baines, babayaro
RB: sagna, ramage
CB: taylor, rozehnal, coloccini, huntington
DM: appiah, butt
LM: duff, n’zogbia
RM: milner, solano
AMC: riquelme, barton
ST: berbatov, owen, viduka, luque
that’s all we need… any comment?
39 Aaron // Jul 8, 2007 at 3:15 PM
I think it’s about time we targetted some world class players to match the ambition of the fans.
I don’t agree with Raul as i feel he might struggle in the premiership like so many other spanish players with the exception of Alonso, Reina and Arteta.
Deco would be good, but again i feel his game is more suited to a slower paced and less physical game like in Spain.
I like Nasri and also this guy Sahin.
Wouldn’t break the bank and he is young so can be groomed to play in the premiership.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9D_CbnRLzI.
The video isn’t great but you can see why he would be a good buy.
I think we should look to bolster the squad with these type of players and start looking for the next generation.
40 Ben // Jul 8, 2007 at 3:23 PM
keep oba – i no it looks as if tevez will join man utd….but im sure we could take him from underneath there noses…nightfall that team looks good
41 Keep Oba // Jul 8, 2007 at 3:33 PM
Nuri Sahin does look good…still very young though
42 valle // Jul 8, 2007 at 4:02 PM
So lets see… Deco is world class, and lets not forget Alonso, Gilberto, Makelele, Scholes, Carrick, Macherano, Gattuso & Pirlo… And thats only central midfielders. By ur standards every good footballer is automathic in the world class bracket. In my opinion, only a player who could be justified on the world 11 is world class.
43 Fergie // Jul 8, 2007 at 4:12 PM
FinMagpie – Drenthe would be perfect for us because we don’t only need a left back but also short term cover for the left wing. I agree with you that Drenthe will probably mature into an out-and-out winger in the future and that is why i think we should sign him. I didn’t say we should sign him specifically for left back. He can become one of the best players in the world and we can promise him first team football. He may not be a specialised defender but from what i’ve seen he is a damn sight better than Babayaro at defending. Duff is out till november and N’zogbia is yet to prove himself. This means we are short at both left back and left wing. Drenthe can play in both positions and as we’ve heard, Big Sam is toying with the idea of using a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation at home games next year, to attack the stubborn away teams. He plans to use attacking wingbacks, with the possibility of Dyer at right back. Who better than Drenthe at left wingback? If the club is going to start aiming high, we should not be buying 30 year old has beens as a statement of our intent, but instead the greats of the future. Who knows? maybe he would stay for a few seasons then move on to a bigger club, but it is also an investment for the future. How many players over the years have we sold for more than we bought them for? The signing of Drenthe makes both football and business sense and as a result, I’m sure Ashley would be welcome to the idea, should Big Sam target him.
End of rant
44 Ashton // Jul 8, 2007 at 4:31 PM
we should get lucho gonzalez from porto and appiah from fenerbache and i think marquiz well be a great sign for us
4 – 4 – 2
givn
germi – marquez – rozinhal ( taylor ) – bains
lucho gonzaez – appiah – emre – barton
owen – martins ( viduka )
45 Aaron // Jul 8, 2007 at 4:41 PM
Fergie – I agree with your rant 100%. Drenthe isn’t a superstar yet so now would be an ideal opportunity to push the boat out and sign him. We have missed out on quite a few players over the years who went on to bigger and better things ( Bent and Duff – although we have him now i feel his best years are past him). I’m sure there are more.
I think it shows ambition and is the point i am trying to make about targetting the future. From a business perspective surely this shows good business, because if we can sell him after a few years for twice the amount we pay then Ashley is getting a substantial return on his investment.
Once you have one or two, who knows who would start to follow.
46 Shearer 4 pm // Jul 8, 2007 at 4:47 PM
we won’t get any better if we don’t buy players because we are covered in that posistion we need to buy players who are better than the ones we have got everywhere then we will improve, and if we get good players now then more will want to come and help just like juventus they got relegated and still signed great players. and people who are saying sign riquelme not deco are stupid deco is younger better and more excitiing and they play in exactly the same posistion so don’t say that we are well covered for deco’s posistion and not riquelmes. bring them to the toon raul is class and would help attract other players. bring in raul deco, lucio, frings, and lahm
47 Keep Oba // Jul 8, 2007 at 4:57 PM
valle…I dont agree with your assesment of world class…why would you have to stop at 11 if there are more than 11 world class players? And yea there are more than 4 world class midfielders in the world. Although I would not put Scholes and Carrick in there nor Mascherano quite yet. If Newcastle signed Gattuso or Pirlo you bet those would be world class signings…did you happen to see the World Cup a year ago?..and Deco was a major part of the Semifinalist Portugal squad and finalist euro 2004 squad…i wont put a limit to how many world class players there are in the world at any given time, I just know that right now no one in the Newcastle squad can be considered world class
48 The King Loves me // Jul 8, 2007 at 5:23 PM
Nuri sahin is a good prospect,but i think he’s just moved on loan to feyenoord from borussia,not 100% sure but thats what i’ve heard. I’d like to see the club move for a world class right winger someone like maxi rodriguez but i can’t see Allardyce doing that.
49 Craig // Jul 8, 2007 at 7:48 PM
Riquelme is on loan at Boca. He said he doesn’t want to play in the premiership, so I’m told.
50 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2007 at 7:54 PM
FinMagpie – maybe i should have said Royston Drenthe has great potential – would be excellent acquisition for Newcastle nevertheless.
51 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2007 at 7:55 PM
Ashton – why would we ever play Joey Barton on the left wing?
52 Cockney Magpie // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:00 PM
Lets all be honest tho with a midfield of Duff, Dyer, Barton, Milner, Emre, N’Zog, Butt and Nobby anothr midfielder is the last thing we need, if he is going to buy big its got to be in the defence and although we already have the new John Terry in Steven Taylor How about somebody next to him like Walter Samuel or Lucio or Nesta somebody like that? and Phillip Lahm for left back .
Given Given
Geremi Geremi
Samuel Samuel
Taylor Taylor
Lahm Lahm
Duff Duff
Barton Barton
Dyer Dyer
Milner
Martins
Viduka Martins
Owen Owen
Subs: Subs:
Harper Harper
Rozenhal Rozehnal
Emre Emre
Milner N’Zog
Ameobi Viduka
53 Cockney Magpie // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:01 PM
tht went wrong lol if u look at it u can sort of make out its 1 433 team and 1 442 team !
54 Fergie // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:29 PM
Keep Oba, i completely agree with you, with one exception. I believe Shay Given to be a World Class player….but maybe I am biased
55 valle // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:46 PM
Keep Oba… I think u misunderstood my text m8, i didnt say that there could only be 11, i said palyers u could justify in a world 11, who people will take will ofc differ, but a player like Deco is not justified in there imo. As i said, if u call all good players for world class, then who is truly world class?, How would Ronaldonho differ from Deco, u put em in the same bracket?, are ok players then suddenly good players?… No m8, it is u guys who got it wrong, as i said, world class are used way to often. On another note, the players i mentioned earlier are other good central midfilders, i dont beleive them to be world class either (Perhaps i could accept Pirlo), i was just trying to make a point.
56 valle // Jul 8, 2007 at 8:48 PM
Keep Oba… I also disagree when u say “If Newcastle signed Gattuso or Pirlo you bet those would be world class signings”… players arent world class just because they are big names and sign for us, they are world class because they should be regarded as such for the skill they posess.
57 Fergie // Jul 8, 2007 at 9:08 PM
I like the sound of Ronaldonho, lets sign him! haha!
58 Ashton // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:21 PM
sorry
givn
germi – marquez – rozinhal ( taylor ) – bains
lucho gonzaez – appiah – barton – emre
owen – martins ( viduka )
how abut that boss ?
59 Adam // Jul 9, 2007 at 1:23 AM
If we got Beye, Bridge (ideally) or Shorey and Boateng or Diarra I”d be happy. And maybe one more humbly priced defender.
And keep everyone but Carr, if possible. No fashionable signings yet, thanks very much!
60 Cathal // Jul 9, 2007 at 8:43 PM
aparently coloccini is available, real zaragoza are attempting to sign him as a replacement for militio! deco wud b a fantastic signing, altho raul wud not as (A hes approaching the end of his career (B his game is not suited to the english game specially with his lack of pace (C we already hav perfect strikers!
61 phoonck (singapore) // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:53 AM
in my opinion, no world-class players would now want join us when our last league standing is at a disappointing 13th and can’t provide european football.
i’d say be realistic. it’s difficult to see us signing david villa, riquelme, quaresma or marquez. i can’t see berbatov jumping ship, where he’s enjoying football at spurs and is in europe next season, let alone the list i mentioned above!
it’s really hard to believe if deco decides to join us. it would really be a superb acquisition if we pull it off. i wouldn’t pin too much hope on it until more concrete reports on this one. raul, on the other hand, would be risky. kluivert anyone? with due respect to raul, but given his age and past achievements, his hunger for success and the drive to win would be a concern.
and those who use youtube’s videos as evidence to prove that a certain player is great to invest or buy, the videos are just not dependable! i believe our scouts know much more and better than us do. those videos are of good entertainment value, but what you see are usually the highlights of the players’ careers, and that usually means the glories of the successful dribbles and tackles, the wonderful volleys and saves, the powerful headers and strikes but never the laziness on the pitch, the inability to concentrate on the whole match or the attitude in training. it needs so much effort to scout a report of a player, i just cant see scouts using youtube to unearth the next ronaldinho or christiano ronaldo. no offence though, i’d still amuse and amaze myself with the the beautiful game on youtube.
you just never know if that player is a one-minute wonder unless u get to watch him in every game. luque anyone? kluivert anyone? viana anyone?
i love newcastle. hopefully, big sam is the one to turn us around and become among the big 4 in the premiership. so far, i’m very satisfied with the work and purchases he has done, and am very optimistic for the next season.
howay the lads!
62 Ed Harrison // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:40 AM
phoonck – good post – think you can make any player look great by getting the best he’s ever done on video tape.
63 Ed Harrison // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:40 AM
nightfall – looks like sagna is off to Arsenal.
64 dean // Jul 10, 2007 at 7:31 PM
i think we sould buy deco and recelma
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