The pace could well be picking up for Marseille to make an offer for Newcastle midfielder Henri Saivet, who has hardly had a look-in since he arrived from Bordeaux in January for £5M.
Henri was brought in along with fellow central midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea, but both struggled to make an impact at Newcastle and it was noticeable that Henri did not play in the first team last season once Rafa Benitez arrived at the club.
And just as we released this article there’s late breaking new that a deal has finally been agreed between Marseille and Newcastle for Florian Thauvin to move to Marseille on loan next season – with an option to buy after a certain number of games played.
Henri Saivet in training in pre-season
We have more on the Thauvin deal at the end of this article, but first of all here’s more on the potential Saivet move.
Saivet seems expendable this summer, especially when Rafa has just brought in powerful central midfielder Mohamed Diame from Hull City yesterday.
According to the local newspaper La Provence, Marseille’s new Sporting Director Gunter Jacob and Head of Recruitment Jean-Philippe Durand have already talked with Saivet’s agent about a move.
French daily L’Equipe is also reporting Marseille’s interest in Saivet, although they say Henri is just one of a number of central midfielders the French club is looking at.
We’re not sure why Henri hasn’t done better at Newcastle, but maybe he’s finding it hard to adjust to the physical play in England and also to the pace of the game, which is much quicker than in the French league.
One of the difficulties in a potential move back to France could be Henri’s high wages, since he will have received a significant increase in wages to join Newcastle from what he was getting at Bordeaux.
Newcastle will want to recuperate the full £5M they paid to Bordeaux last January for the 25 year-old Senegal International midfielder.
Florian Thauvin – deal agreed with Marseille?
And as we mentioned at the beginning of the article there’s news breaking today via a report in France Football that Newcastle have indeed agreed a deal with Marseille to have Florian move back to his former club – initially on loan.
The deal is for €11M (£9.8M) but that means we will be losing around £3M in a year on Thauvin.
But if the report of a deal being agreed is true Florian will be very happy, because he seems to have set his heart on returning to France and to former club Marseille in particular.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
46 comments so far
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:32 AM
Comment #1repost:
Could be worse look at Sheff Wed their goalkeeper has been given then no.2 and former scumbderland striker Fletcher wears no. 6!!!!!!!
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:35 AM
Comment #2Repost for TOF as the Bus is still moving 🙂
TOF
Lose the paranoia, Eds constant thread switching is my reason for the ‘Bus missing’ comments, we all probably feel similar to you.
If it makes you feel any better I believe he does it for commercial reasons, not to p!ss people off.
We all have to make a living one way or another. ?
Just copy and paste until the bus is finally parked for the day/night.
The one and Ayoze 17
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Comment #3It will be a shame If Henri goes as he hasn’t really had a fair crack and has looked pretty decent when played, surely with us being so short on wingers and it being his natural position before being shifted to DM, it’s worth having a look at him on the wing?
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Comment #4The question mark was a smiley emote originally! 🙂
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:37 AM
Comment #5Shame if this is true wanted to see what Saivet could do as he hasn’t looked bad when played.
I hope we go for a proper out and out winger with pace and trickery. And then a striker with pace that can also play on the wings. Versatility is something Rafa likes so it wouldn’t surprise me if that is what we’re after.
The one and Ayoze 17
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:39 AM
Comment #6I really hope that this supposed medical this afternoon is for a winger as its the one position we are still short on.
Mr Funk
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Comment #7I wonder if NUFC will go back to the Belgium ProLeague. We were linked with Frank Acheampong earlier on in the transfer window, maybe we could go back for someone else.
Possible options could include:
Moses Simon – like Ahmed Musa
Ayanda Patosi
Leon Bailey (long shot)
These can all play left wing or upfront and could be worth a gamble now that Knockaert is looking less likely.
Jib
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:44 AM
Comment #8Jail ha ha ha
swemag
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:45 AM
Comment #9I entered my predictions but did not see my name on the list a few days ago. Here goes again.
Points: 92
Position: 2
MVP: Perez
TGS: Perez
TGS Goals: 26
Lge Cup: QF
FA Cup: QF
Perez will sign an improved contract or leave for 30 mill by the end of the season.
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Comment #10Villa sign McCormack
The one and Ayoze 17
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:51 AM
Comment #11If thauvin is leaving as well then I feel we need 2 more wingers as we were short anyway.
Nufc-83
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Comment #12I think Thauvin in terms of ability will turn out to be a good creative player but if he can’t settle then fair enough get rid. In the small cameo appearances I have seen from Saviet he looked OK very athletic and decent distribution (reminded me of a bigger Anita) so not sure why we are shipping him out but guess he doesn’t show in training.
Nufc-83
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:59 AM
Comment #13Desperate for a wide player now
martoon
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:59 AM
Comment #14swemag @9 – Sorry I missed you but I have recorded them now 🙂
Average_Contents
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:01 AM
Comment #15We pay £14m for a player who let’s face it, didn’t really want to move here, who is then loaned out twice to his former club who end up paying a nominal fee for the loan.
fcuking diabolical that is.
Either take the hit on the transfer fee or keep him here.
Thank fcuk Carr and penfold no longer call the shots.
Made up with JL as captain. I think he’s just spoke more words in his little speech than colo ever managed in his entire time here.
Hope mitro gets the No9. Imagine riviera getting the nod. I’d cry.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:01 AM
Comment #16An out and out winger AND a striker that can play well on the wings is what we need.
Average_Contents
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:04 AM
Comment #17Whoever posted about that medical booked in, how do you know?
Are you sure it’s not just a normal person having a checkup lol.
hibbitt
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:08 AM
Comment #18Pavel is a geordie
are you a WUM or ITK which one is it
your heads on the block !!!
clinath@ed
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:08 AM
Comment #19Martoon…miles off. You are a Fraud sir. 😉
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:18 AM
Comment #20Pritchard gone to Norwich fee undisclosed
Ketsbaia9
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Comment #21We need two wingers now as we only have Ritchie and Aarons. At the very least, we could get Knockaert in and push Janmaat or Anita up to right wing. If Saviet is leaving, we need to keep Tiote. Don’t forget Saviet can play on the wings. Left back, winger and striker are urgently needed.
Legolas
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Comment #22I am not so sure about the medical. Didn’t Rafa not say there will be no more arrivals before the Fulham game?
DaraghL
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Comment #23Thauvin to Marseille confirmed on NUFC site
Florian Thauvin has returned to Marseille on a season-long loan, with the French club having an obligation to make the move permanent.
The 23-year-old arrived on Tyneside from Marseille 12 months ago, but headed back to the Stade Velodrome in January on loan for the remainder of the 2015/16 campaign.
Returning to the North-East this summer, Thauvin featured in four of United’s five pre-season friendlies but will now ply his trade for L’OM again in Ligue 1.
The winger made 16 competitive appearances for Newcastle, five of which were starts, and scored one goal.
Everyone at St. James’ Park wishes Florian well for the future.
Shadow_Shearer
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:29 AM
Comment #24We can all see the difference rafa is making at newcastle. We had a habit of keeping hold of players way past there due by date.
If mcclaren, pardew or carver was still here, coloccini would be named captain today, & cisse would still have the number 9 shirt.
Despite either or them doing anything to deserve it. I am very pleased lascelle is now captain. The rest of those clowns wouldn’t have the balls to drop coloccini, never mind release him.
To take matters even futher, those clowns wouldn’t have the balls to even play lascelle, because of his lack of experience in premiership.
Even if coloccini didn’t sign an extention with brolly, they all would be looking at somebody else to be captain, & say lascelle is to young, & has never really played in the premiership before.
ToonRich
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:30 AM
Comment #25emperor on last thread said it wasn’t right that JL was seen as a starting CB cause we have 4 now!! What a crock…if Rafa sees him as our strongest then of course he should be starting as many games as possible.
Any comment on who is Vice Captain?? JL will obviously need a rest during the season!! Who would you want as VC? Has Diame captained a side?
We’ve got the money, go break the bank on a beast of a striker and a creative winger Rafa!!
RolandoOverhead
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Comment #26Just had a look on the L’OM transfermarkt page, the amount of loan deals they do is pretty bizarre .
Can’t help but think that if Saivet does join them, it’ll be on chucky too! After all, they aren’t stumping up the funds for Thauvin until he’s been on loan for the whole season.
Considering they’ve just made £33.15m from the sale of Batshuayi, it would look as if they’re taking liberties.
DaraghL
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:03 PM
Comment #27Dwight Gayle confirmed as no.9 on nufc.co.uk
JamesToon
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:03 PM
Comment #28GAYLE IS NUMBER 9
JamesToon
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Comment #29Well im sure most wanted mitro, but we have to back Gayle now, after all hes not the one suspended for the first 4 games, he could really bang in the goals for us this season.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:07 PM
Comment #30Wow I really thought Mitro would be our number 9. I am quite shocked tbh. Never thought Mitro would let him have it.
On to wingers we desperately need at least one now. Anyone know who we could be after if not after Knockeart?
Jib
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Comment #31I may be mistaken
I was wrong once ( I found out later I was actually right )
But I think young Aleksandar prefers the number 45 – he certainly has it playing for Serbia when one would assume he could have number 9 if he wanted.
Wayayman
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:11 PM
Comment #32I don’t see confirmation of that anywhere.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:12 PM
Comment #33Its on Nufc fb page. Diame has no number yet. The lowest remaing no’s are 13 and 15
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:14 PM
Comment #341 Tim Krul
2 Ciaran Clark
3 Paul Dummett
4 Jack Colback
5 Grant Hanley
6 Jamaal Lascelles
7 Moussa Sissoko
8 Vurnon Anita
9 Dwight Gayle
10 Siem De Jong
11 Matt Ritchie
12 Jonjo Shelvey
14 Isaac Hayden
16 Rolando Aarons
17 Ayoze Perez
18 Chancel Mbemba
19 Massadio Haidara
20 Yoan Gouffran
21 Rob Elliot
22 Daryl Janmaat
23 Henri Saviet
24 Cheick Tiote
26 Karl Darlow
27 Jesus Gamez
28 Matz Sels
29 Emmanuel Riviere
32 Adam Armstrong
41 Freddie Woodman
42 Jamie Sterry
43 Kevin Mbabu
45 Aleksander Mitrovic
TBC Mohamed Diame
From nufc.com
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:16 PM
Comment #35Sissoko still has his squad no. Kind of expected him to at least have at changed since 7 is normally given to a player who is going to feature prominently
martoon
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:19 PM
Comment #36Last day to get your predictions in so far I have:
martoon
clinath@ed
StuW
JamesToon
SUTTY1978
Average_Contents
Spoof
firebug666
Belfast
Bambams
JP…from The Rock
Goromagpie
ShirebrookToon
SPRINGY
Offkey
JAMSHA
geordie157
toontaff2
Our Toon
manxpie
Jail for Ashley
welshgeordie9
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
dannitoon
Tsunki
jimmysmith
Termijn
Charlie in the Gallowgate
jasper
Mag52
nico
bosamuelson
outside the box
funlovingexpress
ROSHAN MAGPIE
YouCouldn’tMakeItUp
one fine day
southeast magpie
WWSBRD
Fatman_joe
RolandoOverhead
nut meg
The overrated Frenchman
Bearsize
Oleg G
Very Terry
Essex Geordie Bill
Jib
CAC
The American
BoyNUFC
emperor
Budge123
G
Toon_Tom
sparky55
Rafa Revolution
MadisonToon
Back Door Man
toon kk
the white tino
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
bettyswallocks
Kabul Fish
Toon fm Exeter
Matt
Teamstoof
lewisnufc
Spotlight Kid
barkel
totsy
roblee7
expatmag
mickybraham
thatmatt
Toonboy
sirjasontoon
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Legolas
Hail Wor Ashley
Mister Tuff
Yo-yo
dok – the horrid colonial
magscar
loonie-toon
north_country_boy
Fostino
Setchell
geordiesteve520
jane
archaeomag
mad-serb
El Sleeve
Jammy-D
Blofal
Munster Mag
ScoopSouthAfrica
OneAlanShearer
off the ball
Oldgit1
The one and Ayoze 17
Shot Bru
Laurent Robert 32
Wayayman
Bobbybee
lochinvar
Novocastrian66
danf98
giimps
edtheduck
even the stevens
Obafan
simon376
sussextoon
gonufc (Newcastle United Sports Direct Advertising Club)
GeordieTwo
Hugh Jorgan
B1GSTEVE
kikgras
Pokat
The Ghost of St.James
Magpie Myles
U.S Magpie
chicousa
Lilongwe Geordie
hibbitt
brklyngeordie
Harley
swemag
Apologies if I’ve missed you – if so just repost with my name in and I should find them.
Ron Knee
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #37Gayle has got guile, but has he got goals?
DaraghL
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #38Mitro chose 45 at Partizan as 9 was taken which was his first choice. (4+5 = 9 was his logic).
He’s moved twice since then and has chosen 45. I think he just has accepted that it’s now his number. You know sports stars and their superstitions may not want to change.
lesh
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Comment #39Ron Knee
Gayle, guile, goals?
We’ve already got a G and a G2 posting – why not rebadge yourself as G3?
DaraghL
Aug 4, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Comment #40YCMIU –
I guess you can’t relinquish his number without showing your hand to potential buyers. We all know the score but we need to be acting as if we want to keep hold of him to drive his price.
Plus Rafa has insisted that if the right bid doesn’t come in then he stays. If that’s the case, he will likely start.
As for Gayle, I think he will surprise many. Exciting forward with an eye for goal. Definitely capable of 20+ in this league.