There’s some news today in Italy in calciomercato.com that Aston Villa want to replace Christian Benteke with 22 year-old Uruguayan Diego Rolan, currently playing with Bordeaux in the French Ligue 1.
But that will certainly not be the only striker Villa will sign.
This youngster was offered to Newcastle last month as Bordeaux are looking to unload the 6 times capped Uruguayan International.
Charlie Austin – do Newcastle still want him?
Aston Villa were briefly favorites to sign Charlie Austin, but Newcastle are now again odds-on favorites to sign Charlie, but there’s a good discussion today with talkSPORT’s transfer guru, Warren Haughton on Charlie Austin.
Warren asks a very good question as to whether Newcastle will now still want Austin after we have signed Aleksandar Mitrovic yesterday, because they are both classic number 9 strikers.
And Mitrovic made that clear in his interviews yesterday after he was signed for £12.5M from Anderlecht.
So that’s the question – does Steve McClaren think the two of them can work together in a 4-4-2 formation, or will Newcastle go after a more compatible front man who can play with Mitrovic.
Certainly it worked at Newcastle when we had two classic number 9 strikers during the Kevin Keegan years, with Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand.
Then Duncan Ferguson and Alan Shearer played well together after that – although the Scot was injured a lot when he was at the club briefly, when Sir Bobby Robson was manager.
We currently have Papiss Cisse – so Newcastle could still decide to keep him, and we cannot forget that 21 year-old Spaniard Ayoze Perez is coming through – and then there’s Frenchman Emmanuel Riviere, who’s injured at the moment.
The Magpies also have young Adam Armstrong, although he’s likely to go out on loan to get first team games for the coming season.
We still think Newcastle will want Charlie, and it even seems that he wants to join Newcastle, so presumably Steve McClaren will look at playing a 4-4-2 system next season, rather than the 4-2-3-1 system he’s used most of pre-season.
Newcastle don’t want to pay the full £15M for Charlie and they seem confident of waiting it out, with QPR in a weaker negotiating position the nearer September comes – since they stand to lose out on a big fee if Charlie stays and becomes a free agent next summer.
If we do get Charlie Austin through the door, Newcastle fans will be delighted and then we’ll probably sell Papiss Cisse.
But with players like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez, Siem de Jong, Gini Wijnaldum and Rolando Aarons already on board and capable of scoring goals, we should have some good fire-power next season, and that’s good – and a change too.
It seems Anderlecht center-back Chancel Mbemba will be the next one through the door soon, as the accomplished center-back himself has put it out that it’s a dream come true for him to be joining Newcastle.
He will be a great signing for us and will help to strengthen the weak Newcastle defense.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
28 comments so far
Jib
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:23 PM
Comment #1I read that as piss on lol
nightfa11
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:23 PM
Comment #2i hope so..good player..but not what we need..and we’re not what he needs..
Noel Worst
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Comment #3All the difference between a prospect that does and doesn’t make it is their attitude and recognising the dedication it actually takes to get to the top – Aarons is making all the right noises in this regard. I didn’t have him in my XI for Southampton, but I’m definitely leaning towards that way of thinking now.
Seems obvious Austin incoming is wholly dependent on Cisse’s exit. If the club can get 7-8m for Cisse, I’m sure they’ll probably give QPR a 12-13m take it or leave it on deadline day. QPR will crack given his contract situation and the players desire for PL footy.
optimistic prime
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:29 PM
Comment #4Reading the blog I see hearsay is gospel.
Where are the articles written were XS has fallen out with team mates or nobody likes him?
Where’s the articles about Mitrovich being a bad lad?
Who’s the source for these stories?
I read there’s a bus on the moon and Elvis works down the chippy, must be true it was in black n white.
nightfa11
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:30 PM
Comment #5the only way both mitro and austin could play is if we sign 2 more wingers.. cos right now all we have is aarons and maybe sissoko, but sissoko is not a winger..hes a bit of everyting, but excels at nothing.. so austin would be a sub.. and to spend 15 mio on a sub would be just stupid..besides..austin needs to be a starter.. we’re not the club for him..
Our Toon
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:30 PM
Comment #6Jib
Michael Ballack had an attitude problem? Ballack was arguably one of the best central midfielders at the time, he had a sense of arrogance about him that doesn’t mean he had an attitude problem, he worked very hard didn’t cause trouble, he was a leader. Cristiano Ronaldo is also arrogant would you say he’s got an attitude problem? Someone like Balotelli has an attitude problem not these great players.
As for Shakiri you claim he’s moved around alot, he’s had 3 clubs in his career, 3 yrs spent at munich, 11 years spent at Basle and 6 months at inter. 14 years and 6 months at 3 clubs and he’s 23. Does that sound like someone who’s moved around alot?
Our Toon
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:33 PM
Comment #7OP
It’s all hearsay mate, make up a story wheb there isn’t one, the power of social media. More like utter bollocks, XS survived 11 years at Basle, 3 years at Munich and Mancini who handled Balotelli for many years with the constant fighting in training to fireworks off the pitch couldn’t handle little Shakiri for 6 months so wants rid. It’s utter rubbish
Rotonda heights
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:34 PM
Comment #8ITUNDERASHELL // Jul 22, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Arons will sign because ashley has had the fear of God put up him by those supporters who would not renew season tickets. Ashley has to show ambition and he looks as though he is doing precisely that.
mark my words Aron is going to be a big, big star if he stays level headed and sees the brilliance being nrought into the club to aid his development.
Forget Shiqiri and go for the boy from holland eith one full cap and only 2 £million then use the rest to get the CB from Tunisia, now he looks like a real centre half and leader.
l would not buy Austin, why hinder Perez development?
– – – – – – – – – – – –
SPOT ON . . . . . . . . .
nightfa11
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:34 PM
Comment #9Our Toon
i get your point, but looking at someones history before they weere 18 and signed a professional contract is irrelevant..
fact is this summer he will be at his 4th club since he signed a first pro contract.. 4th club in 5 years.. i dont care what he did when he was 14, 15..
Jib
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:37 PM
Comment #10http://www.espnfc.com/story/890186/michael-ballack-declines-to-sit-on-bench-for-bayer-leverkusen
Mr Magpie
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:37 PM
Comment #11Lukes
I said he would be earning more at Palace than other clubs were prepared to pay him, not what they could pay him.
As widely reported & also as Rotonda also stated he is on 100k a week & would be a guaranteed regular starter for Palace to help him secure his French place.
ITUNDERASHELL
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:39 PM
Comment #12Would givr Austin a miss and Shaqiri. Buy the duth boy we are being heavily linked with forc2 million and buy the beast from Tunisia to cplete the fefence.
ITUNDERASHELL
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:41 PM
Comment #13Sorry about the spelling, my glasses need a wipe and on a mobile.
Jib
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:44 PM
Comment #14message for our toon
Our Toon
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:47 PM
Comment #15Night FA he spent 3 years at Basle when he signed his 1st contract then 3 years at Munich
lukes26
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:47 PM
Comment #16Magpie
He might be.
But I find it highly unlikely that the only team that is willing to offer 100k a week just happens to be same team we was managed by cabaye’s former manager.
There are plenty other EPL teams with money to burn.
it’s just improbable.
TudorCrisps
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:47 PM
Comment #17I’d rather Berahino anyday of the week presides he can play on the wing as well
Our Toon
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:48 PM
Comment #18Jib
You’ve picked out 1 occasion in his career, how many times was this repeated?
Jamseyd24
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:48 PM
Comment #19I think we still need more Brits. Nothing beats a good British C half. Only thing is, I cant think of any. lol
Our Toon
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:49 PM
Comment #20Is it not fair to say shearer had an attitude problem? He had an issue with being benched by Gullit….does that mean shearer was a trouble causer?
optimistic prime
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:51 PM
Comment #21Our toon
It’s like the bollocks written about Mitrovic being a bad un.
The Serbian Balotelli and he’s crazy.
If you read the actual transcript of his head coach from Anderlect what he said was, he may look crazy because of his hair and tatts and has been likened to Baloteli but he’s the hardest working and most dedicated player ive ever worked with and he is determined to succeed.
Change a few words and it’s, Crazy Mitrovic the Serbian Baloteli.
Weak and pathetic like the people who lap it up.
Sazzer
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:53 PM
Comment #22Shaquiri is talented player Bayern bought him for reason. But he wasn’t ready yet. Coutinho came from Inter.
I prefer Berardi but Shaquiri is good signing with potential to be excellent.
will die for the toon army
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:57 PM
Comment #23I dont care who to sign next wat matters we have Abdennour at e end of the transfer window.
Abdennour and Austin/Shaqiri.
Ravostag
Jul 22, 2015 at 5:59 PM
Comment #24Why do we want to sign Andy Sugden from Coronation Street?
Sazzer
Jul 22, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Comment #25Berahinho and Berardi would be ideal. But that would probably cost 1 Sterling. Yarmolenko and Carrillo seem like cheaper alternatives along with Shaqiri, Thauvin Volland Bellarbi and so on.
Mr Magpie
Jul 22, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Comment #26Lukes
I am not saying Pardew may not have had an influence on him joining.
I was only saying none of these other teams came in for him or seemed willing to pay him a £100k a week with a guaranteed starting place.
If Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs had come in with the same offer i find it improbable he would have still gone to Palace.
Tunami
Jul 22, 2015 at 6:18 PM
Comment #27Ravostag – has Andy Sugden been transferred to Coronation Street?????? Why hasn’t Ed picked up on this?
lochinvar
Jul 22, 2015 at 6:19 PM
Comment #28Rolan would appear to be a good choice as a replacement or cover for Cisse. Rolan seems to score in and around the six yard box from quick crosses or knock downs so needs pacey wingers and a large CF to feed him the chances. He would be mad to go to Villa – they are in freefall, selling their best players, the ground is ancient and the sale of the club fell through recently probably because investors knew the team was being dismantled to put £40m in the bank for a rainy day. The three excellent signings we have made ( or will shortly) plus SJP , the fans, the City , the Coaches and so much more now make Newcastle a top destination for more aspiring players. The only reason to join a club like Palace for some players is probably because it’s in London. I can’t think of a good reason why anyone would want to join Villa or even Everton these days. McLaren’s right – we have intention and what’s more momentum – that’s a key factor .