It was really good news in the Scotsman today, that Newcastle are said to be strong favorites to sign Celtic’s Dutch center-back Virgil van Dijk – we just hope the report is true. 😀
Virgil van Dijk – Newcastle interested
Newcastle have already had one of their best summer transfer windows for a number of years, signing nine players and loaning Nottingham Forest players Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow straight back to their club for a full season of experience in the Championship.
And maybe the only weaknesses we now have in the squad are at center-back and we still don’t have a striker who is a guaranteed goalscorer in the Premier League, and while QPR striker Loic Remy would be perfect, it seems he doesn’t want to return to Newcastle.
There’s no doubt the 6′ 4″van Dijk would be a great signing for us, and while the quoted fee of £8M is a lot more than the £2.5M Celtic paid for him just over 12 months ago, it would still be an excellent signing for the club and he’s one for the future, but would challenge immediately for a starting position at the Magpies.
And while Virgil will lose out on the Champions League football he gets north of the border, he would be joining the most popular sports league in the world, and that would certainly help his chances of getting capped by Holland.
Strikers Newcastle could get in over the next 11 days is a good question, and our targets have been Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette who has said he wants to remain at the French club for another year, and maybe Newcastle will go after him again in 12 months time, when he would have one year left on his contract.
Loic Remy is still a (slight) possibility, but if he was to return to Newcastle it would only be because no other big club comes in for him before the end of the window, and he doesn’t seem too keen to return to the Tyneside club, and that’s one reason Newcastle may just not bother.
But there is a very decent chance that Newcastle could do some late business in this transfer window – and a striker and a center-back as good as van Dijk would be great business.
And if we do get a good deal for Cheick Tiote, then Mike Ashley must bring in a replacement before the end of the window – but we have our doubts that will happen.
Newcastle can top off this summer transfer window with two more good players, and it will stand out as one of the best transfers windows for many years at Newcastle.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Note: Paul Lawson is a NUFC season ticket holder living in Birmingham, and wonders if there are any other season ticket holders in the area, so they can share the car expenses to Newcastle – you can contact Paul at 07969296054.
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37 comments so far
G
Aug 21, 2014 at 2:50 PM
Comment #1Technically it’s already the best transfer window in years. More than one.
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 2:51 PM
Comment #2Munster
The top 3 in Spain would walk the premier league. We have a competitive/exciting league but the Spanish league is streets ahead.
Edd Case
Aug 21, 2014 at 2:52 PM
Comment #3Would love to see van Dijk at Newcastle.
We are in desperate need of a top CB.
That said, even if we fail to get him or another CB in, this has been a brilliant window, best for years.
And don’t forget, there’s another window in a few months and we already have Darlow and Lacelles to come.
Just need the team to gel and get some points on the board!
HWTL
G
Aug 21, 2014 at 2:53 PM
Comment #4@ 2, I would disagree with half your comment. The top 3 in Spain would probably do very well indeed in the Prem, but most of the division is made up from your Elche’s, Your Osasunsa’s etc, and do you really believe they would thrive? They would be in League 2 or the conference before you knew it. I still say the highest consistent standards in football in Europe are in the Prem, and in Germany.
mindshaft
Aug 21, 2014 at 2:53 PM
Comment #57 – 9 players is a lot to integrate into the squad, I can’t see us signing another striker given that we have Riviere, Cisse, Perez and Chunky, the need for a CB is obvious to all but P45dew although again we’ll need to ship one of our current imcumbants out from Willo, Collo, Taylor and MBiwa – Tayls would be fave to go from my perspective.
Maybe Celtic would do a swap deal for Taylor?
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 21, 2014 at 2:59 PM
Comment #6TS
We could be doing more I agree. But every club can say that. And I’d hope that we are constantly trying to do more. But I don’t think it’s anywhere near as simple as you say as every club is trying to do the simple things.
There’s always more to do. Just wish the club would have better communication to tell the fans what they are trying to do and how they are trying to do it.
Anyway…can’t keep up with the multi-tasking so need to knock this on the head. Good talking to you!
dannitoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:00 PM
Comment #7Really… u posted the fellas number…. how much abuse is he gonna get now
Transfer Sage
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:02 PM
Comment #8TDS
Yeh good to have you back.
I know I made it simplistic but that’s why you say these people so much to run a big organisatation, they have to deal with these problems
Magickit
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:02 PM
Comment #9Di maria just said he wants to leave! Maybe Colo can persuade him to come. Hahaha
Spoof
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:04 PM
Comment #10We already have four senior CB’s, no way will we get a fifth, you can only play two of them, so what will the other 3 be doing, in Ashley’s eyes picking up free wages, and we all know that won’t happen.
Lilongwe Geordie
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:04 PM
Comment #11I still question if this guy is a top centre back. Someone said earlier he is a good centre back when going forward and has a good long shot. Not high on my list of priorities for defenders I’m afraid. He has so far been tested in Holland, possibly the easiest league to score a boat load of goals, and playing for Celtic in Scotland. In other words, completely and utterly unproven. He may turn out to be outstanding, but if he was that good why did we overlook him last sumer at £2.5million?
This window could still go either way, be good or bad, so far in my opinion we have stood still, provided at least half of the signings settle quickly. If they all settle then we are marginally stronger but still lack depth and strength in key areas.
If Tiote leaves, then we will have to bring more in to make it an average window or better.
On Tiote, rumours are that Arsenal may bid £14million for him. That would be more then we got for Debuchy from them and more that they supposedly offered for Cabaye last summer. That suggests to me Wenger is getting a little edgy at not getting someone in, and we could still improve the deal in our favour. (I accept that most of newspaper and sports jour no stories are utter hogwash and this story is likely to be more of the same)
Spoof
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Comment #12Magickit
I’d rather di Maria persuade Colo to leave us ?
catchy in norway
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:07 PM
Comment #13Liam Sweeney
RIP
Local Hero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_hiuZLyzFM
I hope they sort out John Alder’s funeral soon
Jockyspants
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Comment #14Signings are all duds, club is rotten to the core with an arrogant dumb manager and an owner who only likes his dosh, cars and pies!
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Comment #15This won’t be happening unless Taylor goes. Also any news on Tiote and De Jong fitness?
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Comment #16G
Do you think we would burnley, Leicester, Stoke, villa etc would survive over there? I watch a lot of Spanish football mate they have a much better league in regards to technical ability and standard of football.
Our league is good but the top 3 in Spain would be the top 3 here. Bayern Munich are the only other European side that would threaten the current 3 in Spain.
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:12 PM
Comment #17Our league is exciting and….exciting!!!
catchy in norway
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:13 PM
Comment #18listen to this guy,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7K0ZnPteoI
deeps
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:13 PM
Comment #19Geremi
De Jong back in full training..tiote not yet fully fit..
deeps
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:15 PM
Comment #20Geremi
Tiote and Cisse will most likely be back for
the palace game..
Magickit
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:15 PM
Comment #21Sign di maria plays in left wing. This transfer window, I will said it perfect 🙂
WLtoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:18 PM
Comment #22The window has been a decent one but ir will only be a good one if we sign the 2 players we need most.
Selling Tiote is a bad move IMO, but if he does go, then at least we will have the money to get in the dutch CB and decent CF.
If Tiote goes and we dont get in those 2 players,then for me,the window has been a poor one yet again.
deeps
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:18 PM
Comment #23Swap di Maria for ben arfa 😉
Magickit
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:22 PM
Comment #24Keeps: that’s a great idea. I think hba, c Ron, bale can Hv a excellent partnership
Ethiotoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:26 PM
Comment #25Transfer
Spot on TS @172…that is what I have been saying it a while ago.I don’t know about Mikey’s biography but when he took over nu 6 or 7 yrs ago,he has no knowledge of football mgt.we can’t blame him 4 that.
May be now he starts to realize what needs to be done to get success.I don’t think change of ownership will change everything. Their is a plan that outlined last yr by himself to try to change the mgt and facilities. hopefully by then change will come and we’ll be in CL soon.
Jimmymith@177
How is the signing of balotelli for Liverpool has anything to do with us?
Do u mean our chances of landing lacazatte will be boosted instead??
The next Mike Williamson
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:27 PM
Comment #26I’d take a gamble and go with what we’ve got upfront. Whoever plays should get lots of chances and we usually only play one upfront. So we have 5 players (Riviere, Cisse, Perez, Facundo, and Armstrong.) chasing one spot and DeJong & possibly Cabella can play there.
deeps
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:30 PM
Comment #27It would be good to see Balotelli getting send off against man city lol 😀
geordie157
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:33 PM
Comment #28Van dijk is decent but it’s hard to judge how good he is playing in that poor Scottish league.
smiler
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:37 PM
Comment #29Oh jockeypants you are such a muppet obviously you do not support the toon suppose you are one of those jealous green eyed numpties that support them green and white hoops north of the border.thought so
Spoof
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:38 PM
Comment #30Lg @11
that’s where we are m8, we don’t buy the proven article as it costs too much, we have to go for the unproven and hope they prove themselves and prove to be astute signings, van Dijk is in that category so we should go for him, lets face it, Santon, Haidara, Cabella, Cabaye, Ssissoko, Marveaux, Ben Arfa, MYM, LDJ, SDJ, Janmaat, Obertan, Cisse, Perez, Colback and everyother player we have signed were signed in the hope that they would make it in a league where they have either not ventured or not yet succeeded, so surely when it comes to a CB then we have to expect the same rules to apply, Van Vijd or Antonio Rudiger are the two most prominent for me, don’t expect proven as we never do that.
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:43 PM
Comment #31CB is a must and as much as this guy is 6’4 has anyone seen him play?
Boumsong was a disaster but then I look at more recent moves and Wanyama was good for Southampton.
Ki seems to be a sound player as well for Swansea and he was for the scum
Spoof
Aug 21, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Comment #32Boubsong was a disaster but he is still better than what we have now
jimmygscot
Aug 21, 2014 at 4:01 PM
Comment #33Fee quoted is too much for Van Dirk, looks good in the Scottish Prem League, but he is calm strong and good going forward.
G
Aug 21, 2014 at 4:13 PM
Comment #34OT, it’s entirely hypothetical anyway, but I generally belive that most of the teams in Spanish football would really struggle with the physical element of English football. Yes, some could bamboozle the teams with flashes of skill, but I do believe if the leagues merged, played our way, that English teams would largely dominate. It’s just an opinion mate, not an argument. Could you honesly say that a team like Levante that relies on Journeymen and past-their-sell-by-date players, who overperform (Very well by the way) would do well against your Everton’s, Stoke’s, and Us? I personally doubt it, but there’s just one example.
wynsleap
Aug 21, 2014 at 4:44 PM
Comment #35£14mill for Tiote and spend it on Grenier (£9mill.) and Van Dijk (£6mill).
A fantastic bit of business I think but who has the common sense (or the will) at the club to make this happen?
The other suggestion on here – Taylor + money for VanDijk is another cracking option, and if you factor in Tiote’s cash it leaves a little left over for Mike’s pies.
A no brainer.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 21, 2014 at 4:46 PM
Comment #36We don’t have to ship out a defender to sign another defender. The deadwood that can leave to bring in a defender can just as well be Gutierrez, Obertan, Raylor, Saylor, HBA, Abeid etc.
USAGEORDIE
Aug 21, 2014 at 5:13 PM
Comment #37Both sides of the sell or don’t sell Tiote debate are right. In my opinion Tiote, even though it weakens our team, should be sold. Let’s face it, newcastle are a selling club. Every player has his price and Tiote’s value is about at its peak. With his departure it will allow Sissoko to move into his preferred role and would leave us with £14m and potentially two more signings. I don’t even think another CM is needed to be brought in, with sissoko, Colback, Anita, Abied, and Bigi avaliable I that position.