FC Twente Steve McClaren has made some statements about Newcastle’s quest for the 21 year-old striker Luuk de Jong, and the former England manager says if it were up to him he would keep him at the club, and only sell him for stupid money.
Luuk de Jong – in action against England earlier this year
So it’s a good job that Steve doesn’t make those decisions, because FC Twente will not get stupid money for de Jong, at least not form Newcastle, although it seems that Newcastle are willing to cough up £10M for the outstanding youngster.
Newcastle’s Managing Director Derek Llambias and Club Secretary Lee Charnley are in Enschede in Holland at the moment, discussing de Jong with FC Twente officials.
They will be hoping to tie up a couple of Twente’s players before pre-season training starts at Benton next Thursday, and we know Luuk de Jong is one target.
And maybe they could also be after 24 year-old Douglas, the 6’4″ center-back, and maybe even FC Twente’s right back Roberto Rosales, who Newcastle have been interested in this summer.
However, it seems that Mathieu Debuchy is the number one full-back target, with Newcastle placing an increased bid of £6M, for the Lille defender only yesterday, according to reports.
The news this morning is that McClaren would want £12M for his 21 year-old striker, and since there have already been reports that Newcastle could bid £10M, it’s not that the two clubs are a million miles away on the fee.
Maybe Newcastle can structure the deal, so there’s an amount paid up front, in cool cash we may add, and then riders for how many first team appearances Luuk makes for Newcastle over the next few seasons.
This is what Steve McClaren said yesterday:
“The club know what I think about it. Luuk de Jong would stay if it were up to me, unless stupid money is offered.” “Only since the winter of last season has Luuk been playing as a No 9.”
“He must have at least one full season playing as a real striker, to become a top player at a big club.”
One thing is very clear with the Newcastle of today – they will accept stupid money for one of our best players and even sell them if a daft bid is made, and we did that with Andy Carroll, but Newcastle will not pay out stupid money for any player.
Borussia Monchengladbach have also been reported to be interested in Luuk, and news that the German club have lodged a bid of £8.5M for the striker, who has scored 59 goals in 119 games for FC Twente, since he joined them from De Graafschap in 2009.
And Newcastle appear to be in the lead for the player, with his agent Louis Laros saying recently:
“I can only confirm that there has been interest from Newcastle in Luuk,” “I know that Newcastle are following him, that is no secret, but a club must first agree a fee with FC Twente and so far this has not happened. I really don’t know what will happen next.”
We have to think that Newcastle are close to an agreement with FC Twente on the transfer fee, otherwise they wouldn’t have traveled to Enschede to hold meetings with FC Twente officials, and those officials will not include Steve McClaren.
We hope we’re right on that one, because de Jong would be a terrific acquisition for Newcastle – plain and simple.
Comments welcome.
43 comments so far
Spuggy
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Comment #1Hope so!
Spuggy
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Comment #2I still don’t get this purchase, very anti-typical of Newcastle, who already have two top class strikers. I expected us to bring in a 3-4m youngster.
This may signal serious intention to push on and do well in Europe and the cups, and the ability to rest players or bring on quality subs is essential now when you look at how the top teams do it.
You hold out against Man C and they bring on 3 world class players on 70 mins.
Happy days if we get him, and I hope it’s quickly followed up by Debuchy – I think this lad is going to be one of the best RB in Europe for years to come. His manager was saying he is one of his leaders, a model professional. Would be a real coupe if we can get him.
magpiemover
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Comment #3get him to tyneside for that medical ,
wynsleap
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:54 AM
Comment #4A stupid statement by a stupid manager.
Although Ashley is not my favourite person he’s no mug either and McLaren is taking on the wrong club here.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:55 AM
Comment #5Lets just make sure that there are no bloody stupid release clauses in the contract and a long term contract is signed and sealed!
Cabaye and Cisse have just arrived and the press are publishing stories about Manure and Chelski sniffing around!
De Jong is worth every penny of that 10 Mil and is maybe worth more than that in fact!
davybtoon
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Comment #6We wouldn’t even b in holland unless it was agreed or close
Toonboy_84
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Comment #7Magpiemover
What are the chances of getting tickets to reading away?
GFH
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:59 AM
Comment #8It seems the “Wally with the Brolly” got it wrong about the Lolly.
This fee could be more than we paid for Cisse , a more proven player === maybe the market is catching on to us .
Spuggy
Jun 30, 2012 at 8:59 AM
Comment #9– Amalfitano for Guthrie
– Debuchy for Simpson
– De Jong for Lova
– Douglas for Campbell (yes, it’s been that long)
– Anita for Smith
… and a raft of decent youngsters starting with Good.
Happy days! Hope it all comes true and not just a dream.
hdavid23
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:01 AM
Comment #10as i mentioned earlier, DL should literally put the cash on the table when negotiating… even if they want 12 mill, if you put a suitcase with 10 mill in cash inside, they wont be able to refuse that
magpiemover
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:01 AM
Comment #11Toonboy_84
take my number and ring me closer to the game , we come across tickets all the time
hdavid23
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:03 AM
Comment #12*if you put a suitcase on the table
ashwin say's
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Comment #13report from france
Abdou Kader Mangane of renes is
said to be interesting
nufc,sunderland,west ham and others
west ham strikes first with early bid.
Any thought lads
ChicagoToon
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Comment #14Has anyone actually seen him play other than just clips? Personally I’d rather sign this Messi character. Don’t know much about him but heard he’s pretty decent in Spain.
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:07 AM
Comment #15This could be another immense signing…. 🙂
I am still waiting for the REAL signings at the back….I cant see Willo being the PL standard next year I just dont buy it…
rich_toonfan
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Comment #16@gfh
I don’t think the market is catching up on us.
Cisse was a good deal as they were wprried if they went down they could lose him next to nothing (he had some form of relegation clause). we initially were quoted around 13 million according to Carr then did the deal for 8 in January.
I think the club will look at it as an overall spend, not each players value only.
they knew they got cabaye on the cheap cause of that clause, probably expected to pay more. then ba and marvoux were free.
they might think, we did great business last time so we can afford an extra million or two for this deal…especially seeing how highly the club rate him.
jukitsu
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Comment #17Yeah we have two very good strikers but they are both away for ACON.
We need stiker who can score when Dembas are away-
Beattie25
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Comment #18Logically speaking if Llambias and Charnley have gone to Holland surely it isn’t to negotiate?!
Negotiations can be done over the phone, fax, email etc…
I cannot understand why they would have travelled over unless it was to sign the deal with lawyers or create a diversion.
Can anybody make heads or tails of it??
Spuggy
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Comment #19…………………………Krul………………………..
…………..Saylor/Doug…….Collo…………….
Debuchy………………………………….Santon.
……………….Tiote……..Anita/Jonas…………
………………………Cabaye………………………
…….Arfa…………………………..Ba/Marv……
……………………Cisse/De Jong………………..
SWEET!!!
Harley
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:12 AM
Comment #20I’m sure mclaren really said “unlesh shtupid money ish offered ya”
OoAhDembaBa
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:12 AM
Comment #21Ben arfa – De Jong – Marveaux
Possible front 3 while the dembas are at the ACoN
Brings a smile to my face
Beattie25
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:12 AM
Comment #22Arshwin we won’t sign another African international that we will loose for a month.
Also we won’t sign a 29 year old.
It’s a no go on him.
Spuggy
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Comment #23With the toon you never really know what’s happening.
My theory is that we have a number of targets in holland, with De Jong, Douglas and Anita being amongst them, and Lambias has gone to see if we can get any of them, including ones we probably don’t know about.
Spuggy
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Comment #24It will be a key season for Marveaux, he’s a technically sound player we know, but don’t know how much of a goal threat he is on his own.
We know we’ll get 20+ goals from Cisse, 10+ from Ba, 8+ from Arfa, 5+ from Cabaye, would be nice if Marveaux could chip in with a few.
hdavid23
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Comment #25also, though its pretty unethical, get into the player’s head… he wants to leave, thats for sure… but if we can get him to want to leave for NUFC, then theres nothing they can do
Boys in Black and White
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:19 AM
Comment #26was that bid for roberto rosales accepted because it said on wednesday that we made a bid for him?
Beattie25
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Comment #27Do managing directors and club secretary’s just turn up to negotiate a deal? Spend money on travel, hotels and hospitality just to talk? No chance.
If they have gone something will happen, but there is no proof they’ve actually gone.aybr it’s a whirlwind tour of Europe?! First Holland, then Germany and finish in France. It’s going to be like the hangover. Llambias and Charnley get smashed and turn up the next day with 15 of Europes best youngsters.
The way we do business is to go all out, sneak in and do a deal before anyone has time to react.
My guess would be De Jong, Anita, Debuchy, Tasci and possibly Brahimi?!
Boys in Black and White
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Comment #28also get sebastian boenisch in. would be great back-up for santon and debuchy(if we get him). hes also free!!! 🙂
hdavid23
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Comment #29#27, if we could get them all in, then we’d have a scary good team…
robtheguru
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:37 AM
Comment #30We need to nail this transfer down before someone else comes in. Stop pissing about and spend the money.
MHS NUFC
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Comment #31I really hope we get luuk jong, quality player and will be amazing in years to come, douglas I wouldn’t mind he looks okay, but when are we going to bring a british player in? Were only linked with foreigners and we need to keep a good half of english players in our team. Happy with luuk de jong though, let’s get that deal rapped up soon!
Swede
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Comment #32It feels that this is a massive deal for the club to manage, as it looks like De Jong could be our LW exraordinere, to be fighting it out with Marveaoux. If we also manage to get Toivonen then there would be no Amoebi in sight dampening the moood…..
My Front line would look like this:
HBA ————-Cisse/Ba ————De Jong/Marveaoux
toonincheek
Jun 30, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Comment #33Beattie – cost of travel and accommodation is relatively small – it’s their time that is in short supply.
I reckon it’s a big push to see what can be agreed quickly, before pre-season starts, and if we cannot get our No. 1 target, then we move on to the No. 2.
It’s been emphasised before how important it is to get new players in time for pre-season – that’s a big plus.
gfp13
Jun 30, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #34Recently I’ve been seeing a lot of people hanging their hopes are marveaux. Is there something Ive missed? He hardly figured last season and when he did he reminded me of a left sided Wayne routledge. I think too much is being expected of him for next season. I do hope I’m wrong and he turns out to be a star but I don’t see it happening especially since our forward targets are all able to play off the striker or possibly left. This doesn’t show much faith in marveaux being able to step in, in my opinion anyways
sks_toon
Jun 30, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #35I think we can get De Jong for £10.5M-£11M and he would even be worth £12M if truth be told because he is still young and seems to have a lot of upside. If we want to compete in Europe and want more players such as Vertonghen to have NUFC as their first choice then we need to show that we are serious about building a first class team. I am not suggesting overspending but we are going to have to pay sometimes more than we would want to to get certain players. If the difference between what we are willing to spend and what a club wants is £2M, then surely we can get a deal done. Hopefully that applies to De Jong, Debuchy, and perhaps even Douglas because no matter what anyone says CB is our biggest need.
Boys in Black and White
Jun 30, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Comment #36Have we lost interst in zaha and clyne from crystal palace?
Toonfan_Ew Ew
Jun 30, 2012 at 2:11 PM
Comment #37I’m being petty and all that but considering Douglas is clearly fishing for a bigger move than Newcastle which he said was the case in that interview a few weeks ago…I dunno if I’d want a player at Newcastle who sees us as a stepping stone. That’s my personal opinion though.
Boys in Black and White
Jun 30, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Comment #38Hey 37 have we lost interest in clyne and zaha?
sks_toon
Jun 30, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Comment #39Boys in Black and White from what ive read we’ve lost interest in Zaha but I dont think we lost interest in Clyne, nothing came out about that.
hebburnmagpie
Jun 30, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Comment #40FC Twente have a Europa League qualifier this week. We need to get him signed before he kicks a ball this week