We knew nothing about Newcastle being interested in either Mo Diame and Ciaran Clark on Sunday night, but both could become Newcastle players today – less than two days later – as Newcastle seem to be moving at whirlwind speed to get the two experienced players signed today.
There are multiple reports today that both players will have their medicals today at Newcastle and hopefully when those are successful they will both become Newcastle players.
Mohamed Diame – a Newcastle player today?
Players don’t come in for their medical unless terms have been agreed with the player and his agent, so it seems the only thing left to complete.
It looks like the release clause in Ciaran’s contract is £5.1M and in Mo’s contract it’s £4.5M – so for a very reasonable £9.6M we will get two experienced Premier League players.
You cannot accuse Newcastle in this transfer window of not being aggressive and getting some very good deals for the club.
We have looked very good this summer with the way we are handling transfers both into and out of the club.
Newcastle have already brought in six good players and with Ciaran and Mo that will become eight – and we’re sure Rafa wants at least three more players to make it a full team!
This is very good business for Newcastle United.
Wonder what the status is on Anthony Knockaert.
Newcastle really need to get going and sign this player – what’s holding them up?
🙂 🙂 🙂
Just kidding.
Howay The Lads!!
46 comments so far
G
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:26 PM
Comment #1Rumour has it that the Knockheart deal it well and trully dead in the water, which is a shame. I would have him in a heartbeat.
RolandoOverhead
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:28 PM
Comment #2Claims over the past few weeks that Rafa is still hoping to bring in a striker, but nothing floating about at the moment.
Getting Ross McCormack from under the noses of Norwich and before the Fulham match would potentially be a killer move.
G
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:29 PM
Comment #3Still not keen on McCormack. Fulham say they will not let him go for less than the 15M release clause, which is very poor value for money in my opinion.
Shadow_Shearer
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:33 PM
Comment #4Let’s look at the bright side. Diame & clark coming in very soon. I think they are both brilliant signings.
barkel
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:33 PM
Comment #5Anyone think that McCormack to toon is a done deal and Fulham are waiting until after the match on Friday to give the ok? Just a feeling I have.
On Robbie Brady, mentioned on the last post, he should not be brought in for LB. I’m 100% against that, I’d have no problem paying £10+ mil for him as a LW tho. He’s a goal threat with decent set pieces but he is not a defender
SPRINGY
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:38 PM
Comment #6Barkel
nar dont think we are willing to pay 10-15m for a nearly 30 yr old,im not so sure there will be a striker coming in as the quality for money strikers is few and far between,by the looks of things.
tomellifred360
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:39 PM
Comment #7Creating a NUFC Fantasy Football League if anyone is interested.
76984-188980
lesh
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Comment #8All these comings and goings in such a short period must’ve come as quite a shock to Penfold’s system. He’s probably knackered and looking forward to his holiday Blackpool or wherever.
Bless his little cottons
Matt
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:43 PM
Comment #9Martoon – Thanks for doing this!
Final League Position – 1st
Final no. of points – 93
League Cup round – 3rd
FA Cup round – 3rd
Player of the Season (Blog) – Ritchie
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Perez
No. of goals for TGS – 14
Hope Diame rejects the Hull deal and comes to us!
SPRINGY
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Comment #10lesh
bet he cant wait for the window to close so he can sod off on his jollies,rafa will have him knackered….bout time he earned his holiday.
Teamstoof
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Comment #11Final League Position – 2st
Final no. of points – 86
League Cup round – Final
FA Cup round – 3rd
Player of the Season (Blog) – Aarons
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Gayle
No. of goals for TGS – 17
ROSHAN MAGPIE
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Comment #12The overrated Frenchman
if rafa wants Clark then he must have saw something which you missed
posada
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:49 PM
Comment #13Not sure about these two signings.
Not sure at all.
Are they better than we already have. Debatable.
So why sign them. To make the numbers up?
We need to get a few out still that contribute very little.
ToonRich
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Comment #14I see Brighton are close to sealing a deal for Pritchard…could that pave the way for AK to leave for us? 🙂 heres to wishful thinking!!
lewisnufc
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Comment #15Martoon
Final League Position – 1st
Final no. of points – 95
League Cup round – quater final
FA Cup round – 5th round
Player of the Season (Blog) – Lascelles
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Gayle
No. of goals for TGS – 22
firebug666
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:59 PM
Comment #16I honestly think this is good business by Rafa. He is bringing in players who can play in more than one position, and have experience in the premier league and the championship.
Last season things were so bad we had kids filling the bench up, and even making a cameo due to injuries and suspensions.
We have a lot more games to play this season, in a difficult and more physical league, I think Rafa is just making sure we have enough players with enough quality in the championship to leave the kids to their development.
Spotlight Kid
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:59 PM
Comment #17@Martoon
Final League Position – 4th
Final no. of points – 86
League Cup round – Quarter Final
FA Cup round – 3rd
Player of the Season (Blog) – Perez
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Gayle
No. of goals for TGS – 17
PK-Norway
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:59 PM
Comment #18Is this what Rafa saw too?
http://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/08/02/is-ciaran-clarke-worthy-of-the-toon/
martoon
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Comment #19Anybody fancy any of these
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36940705
I quite like the fullback from Atletico Madrid 😀
mad-serb
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #20Afternoon all
Been a while and a lot of changes. Just shows you what a change for the better can do for the atmosphere. We actually arguing about the quality off singing we are getting for a chance instead of just being happy to buy someone.
Good Business so far, and seems that Rafa will continue with his rotation policies of old, and therefore depth will be key in this season with a minimum of 48 games already. Maybe 60 with some cup runs included.
barkel
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Comment #21@Martoon
Final League Position – 1st
Final no. of points – 96
League Cup round – Last 16
FA Cup round – 4th round
Player of the Season (Blog) – Ritchie
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Gayle
No. of goals for TGS – 22
ayecanny
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:08 PM
Comment #22Clark is a great signing in my opinion, takes it from Villa, can play left back and centre back. will be useful this season.
totsy
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:12 PM
Comment #23@Martoon
Final League Position: 1st
Final no. of points: 97
League Cup round: 5th
FA Cup round: 5th
Player of the Season (Blog): Lascelles
Top goal scorer (TGS); Perez
No. of goals for TGS: 19
Legolas
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:15 PM
Comment #24Hi everyone,
I have read the blog for a number of years now but never commented. Looking forward to the start to the season on Friday and like most I am obtimistic about our chances in getting promoted. Hope I am not let down. Ha ha.
Hi martoon,
Can I join in on the predictions or am I to late ?
NUFCPaul
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:20 PM
Comment #25People wondering about McCormack not signing before the Fulham game on Friday – selling teams sometimes put in a clause that their player can’t play against them either for the first game they meet, or sometimes even in the first season. Stops their player coming back to haunt them later on.
roblee7
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Comment #26@Martoon
Final League Position: 1st
Final no. of points: 104
League Cup round : Quarter Finals
FA Cup round: 5th Round
Player of the Season (Blog): Ritchie
Top goal scorer (TGS) Gayle
No. of goals for TGS: 24
spaghetti bandit
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Comment #27IMG_3192.JPG
expatmag
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:38 PM
Comment #28Final League Position: 1st
Final No.of points: 92
League Cup Round: 5th
FA Cup Round: 4th
Player of the Season: Diame (if he signs) Lascelles (if not)
Top Goal scorer (TGS): Mitrovic
No.of goals for TGS: 18
mickybraham
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:41 PM
Comment #29@martoon
Final League Position: 1st
Final No.of points: 107
League Cup Round: 4th
FA Cup Round: 1/4 Final
Player of the Season: Gayle
Optimism
Top Goal scorer (TGS): Gayle
No.of goals for TGS: 25
bettyswallocks
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:44 PM
Comment #30Martoon
My player of the season is Ritchie. Thanks
SuperShearer
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:47 PM
Comment #31@NUFCPaul – I’m pretty sure those clauses are not legal in the game. Could be wrong but seem to remember a club trying to put it in a few years back and the FA telling them they couldn’t. It would be a nightmare to enforce such things.
Our Toon
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:53 PM
Comment #32Excellent signings, both good value for money and what Diame is what we should be paying for a 29 year old. Mccormack is way over priced, desperate times if we pay 15m or even 12m for someone like him
Fostino
Aug 2, 2016 at 1:57 PM
Comment #33Just offering my 2 cents on Clark. Ive seen him play quite a bit.
Here’s the pros of the deal:
Plenty of Pl experience. Is not injury prone. Gives 100% always. Rafa can make good defenders. Can play lb…A problem position for years. Takes a key player away from our rivals villa. Competition for positions is good. All that For 5m it is not a gamble in today’s financial climate.If he can get his act together he could become a good lb in the mould of Coleman who is a very good right back.
Cons:
Makes a lot of mistakes. Very rash in the tackle. Only watch his last proper competitive outing as a player and you will see some horrendous mistakes. It was ireland vs. Belgium in the euros. Himself and o shea were dropped after for their blunders. Despite being a big lad he is only decent in the air. Willo would be better.
Doesn’t appear to have the finesse or ability to beat a player to be a good wing back. Would be the same mould as dummett in regards being a l.b. His arrival might hinder the development of lads like mbabu and dummett. If he was bought as a cb then it makes me worry that we might lose mbemba.
Overall it’s a decent deal. However personally I would have favoured a move for a better l.b. I worry this deal might end mean the defence is sorted.
thatmatt
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:07 PM
Comment #34@Martoon
Final League Position: 1st
Final no. of points: 98
League Cup round : Semi Finals
FA Cup round: Quarter Finals
Player of the Season (Blog): Ritchie
Top goal scorer (TGS) Gayle
No. of goals for TGS: 21
GloucesterGeordie
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #35McCormack seems to be one to split opinions, I for one would be delighted if we got him. I know people see his price tag as steep for a 29 near 30 year old but if his goals get us promotion straight back up he’d be worth every penny. I’d rather see us spend on him and have his threat on our side than keep the money in the bank and see him go to someone else and make a push for promotion. Anybody who gets him will automatically improve their chances of being promotion challengers in my opinion.
anthc
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #36Diame always looked a good player to me and could never understand him leaving whu for Hull. I know rumours were that he was sick of big head.
Clark although no world beater is a solid singing for the championship for 5 mill. 5 mill in football these days is chicken feed as most decent players are costing around the 10 mill mark.
As for mccormack, no thanks. I know strikers come at a premium but he’s not worth half of the 15mill being quoted and imo I don’t think he could cut it in the pl should we get there. He’s at his level which is where we don’t want to be. With gayle and Ritchie hopefully we will get the best out of mitrovic who I think will thrive this season. Here’s hoping anyway!
4 days to go and I’m more excited for this season than I have been for the last several, can’t wait!
Fostino
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #37Sels krul darlow elliott woodman
Rb: janmaat Jesus sterry
Cb: lascalles mbemba hanley mbabu
Lb: Dummett clark haidira
Dm: colback Diame anita hayden saviet
Wingers: rithchie aarons goofy
Am: perez de jong
St: mitro gayle armstrong toney riverie
With sissoko tiote thauvin expected departures. Bigi..Sammy. .vuckic not training with mean team then it’s clear to see winger and am is a problem as well as a st if the squad is to be complete.
If we got pritchard and the Brighton winger it’ll be a good season.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:29 PM
Comment #38There seems to be a lot of people thinking that most teams will be parking buses on our pitch this season.
If that’s the case we are going to need an AC type player, don’t know if Mitro will quite fill that bill.
Perhaps a cheeky bid for AC himself?
lesh
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Comment #39Pritchard going to Brighton?
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/14656706.Albion_in_advanced_talks_to_make_record_breaking_signing/?ref=mr&lp=1
JamesToon
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Comment #40Essex
I honestly do think Mitro will be good at that target man role as long as he keeps his cool he could terrorise defences