The Mail is reporting that Newcastle are lining up what will be hoped to be a third time lucky bid for Blackburn defender Grant Hanley, after the first two bids of £3.5M and £4.5M were turned down by the Lancashire club.
Over the weekend new Blackburn manager Owen Coyle made it known that the bids from Newcastle were nowhere near what the club value their captain at.
Since then the news is that they want to get £6M plus some incentive payments on top of that.
Grant Hanley – hears Newcastle calling?
The third bid is said to be £5.5M which is close to the requested fee by Blackburn and must have a good chance of being successful.
If it is not accepted then Rafa Benitez has other central defender targets lined up and he may turn to one of those if the third offer is turned down and he sees better value elsewhere.
But Hanley is Rafa’s first choice because not only is he a powerful center-back at 6ft 3ins tall, but he also a leader and newcatsle needs leaders in the team if we are to be successful and promoted this coming season.
He has also played in the Championship for the last four seasons, so he knows the league well.
Grant Hanley is also keen to join the Rafa revolution on Tyneside – the Rafalution – and Blackburn probably realize they are in a losing battle to keep their skipper.
It would be good if the deal can go through quickly and Grant can then join the training camp in Ireland, but time is running out for that to be possible.
Grant would be another very good signing for Newcastle United, if we can get him.
He would be Rafa’s sixth signing of the summer as the 56 year-old ably demonstrates this summer that he doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet.
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:39 PM
Comment #1I think Hanley would be a very good addition for the squad. I think that would leave us with 3 pretty good central defenders, each with time on their side, and the opportunity to develop and grow as a unit. From reading the journalists interpretation, we only seem to be after 1 centre half; Hanley, or another. There are plenty in the squad who can offer cover in that role, but I would prefer more.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:49 PM
Comment #2Lochinvar from previous,
I wonder how many England fans will want Hodgson back if that happens!!
giimps
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:53 PM
Comment #3Hippo heed for England , it just shows the single minded lack of imagination the fa and media have.
Dinosaurs hiring dinosaurs to employ dinosaur tactics cos it worked once
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Comment #4Giimps,
Personally I think there are far bigger issues for England to become an international force than the manager. Whilst he is far from the answer (in my opinion), the current heads of the FA have already demonstrated that their views/aims are very short term, and Allardyce will get them to the World Cup and will offer them an organised side that could prove hard to beat once there.
Mr Funk
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:58 PM
Comment #5@ Lilongwe
I like Hanley too. I think he will be a good squad member also
NUFCPaul
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:01 PM
Comment #6Newcatsle? Ed is trolling us again.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:03 PM
Comment #7Not sure how Ed knows that Hanley wants to join. Have I missed something?