We reported recently there were several clubs interested in signing 26 year-old Newcastle striker Emmanuel Riviere, who we bought from Monaco two years ago for £6M.
The French striker has not played at all for Newcastle this pre-season although it looks like he has still been injured, but in any case he is not in Rafa’s plans at Newcastle and will be allowed to leave the club if we get a decent offer for him before September.
Emmanuel Riviere – in action for Newcastle
Newcastle will be looking to recoup the £6M we paid out to bring him to Newcastle, but Manu’s been a disappointing acquisition by Chief Scout Graham Carr.
France Football are reporting that Bundesliga club Hamburg are interested in signing the 6ft tall striker, who has scored 3 goals in 28 appearances for the Magpies.
Hamburg have some older strikers on their books and they are looking to bring in the 26 year-old to add some youth and physical prowess up front.
The fee is said to be €7.5M – which converts to £6.38 – so that sounds about right.
Riviere will be happy enough that clubs are interested in him this summer and two top clubs said to be keen to sign him include Greek side Olympiacos and his former club AS Monaco.
We’d be surprised if As Monaco are really interested in their former striker however, after he had had a poor two years on Tyneside and he’s been injured a lot of the time.
Newcastle want to transfer the 26 year-old permanently or send him on a loan – with an obligation to buy when he’s played a certain number of games.
The main thing is to get the striker off Newcastle’s wage bill for this season.
Other players still likely to leave Newcastle before the end of the transfer window are 30 year-old holding midfielder Cheick Tiote and 26 year-old French International midfielder Moussa Sissoko who is hoping his dream club – it’s now Real Madrid apparently – will sign him.
Transferring those two well-paid players will help to further decrease the Newcastle wage bill and keep it at least manageable for this season down in the Championship.
But the Mirror’s report today that Rafa Benitez wants to sell top striker Aleksandar Mitrovic before the end of this transfer window because he doesn’t trust him to keep his cool in games – appears to be totally inaccurate.
That’s good, because we need players who can put the ball in the back of the net and Aleksandar could have a stellar season for us this term.
The 26 times capped Serbian international scored 9 Premier League goals in 36 appearances for us last season.
Comments welcome.
97 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:32 PM
Comment #41Pat on the heed,
Do you follow Newcastle?
ShirebrookToon
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:35 PM
Comment #42JFA
I Must have missed that part of the game when Rafa was screaming for Anita to hoof it to Gayle.
ShirebrookToon
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:38 PM
Comment #43Nice to see that Saylor got a goal on his debut. In his own net kind but still……….
ShirebrookToon
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:38 PM
Comment #44Mind**
Jail for Ashley
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:41 PM
Comment #45Shirebrook,
No way 😮
martoon
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:44 PM
Comment #46Evening guys – for anybody interested I’ve done some analysis on the predictions – note that to prevent the averages being skewed I’ve removed a couple of the more ridiculous predictions i.e. 148 points??
152 posters gave predictions (very good effort 🙂 )
Average league position = 1
Average number of points = 99
Average League Cup round = 5 (last 16)
Average FA Cup round = 5 (Quarter Finals)
Top choice for POS = Richie with 38.8% of posters
2nd top choice for POS = Lascelles with 19.7%
Top choice for TGS = Gayle with 56.6% of posters
2nd top choice for TGS = Mitrovic with 28.3% of posters.
Average number of goals for TGS = 23
Pat On The Heed
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:45 PM
Comment #47JFA. With a passion. I stop short of the radio phone ins though. You get all sorts on there.
Belfast
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:45 PM
Comment #48I was looking forward to Toonkk being positive this season 🙂
jimmysmith
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:46 PM
Comment #49I didn’t think Anita played badly under the circumstances. He battled on in an unfamiliar position and then did better when played in a more familiar role.
He isn’t likely to start if the squad is fully fit and available, but with his quality and versatility he will always make the match day squad you’d think, and that’d be a good sign for us.
Hanley, Dummett, Sels, Hayden, Armstrong and Aarons are players who figured against Fulham but would struggle to make the bench should we have a full squad to select from, and that’s a good sign too of course.
ShirebrookToon
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:46 PM
Comment #50😯
Jib
Aug 7, 2016 at 9:52 PM
Comment #51Mourinho wins his first trophy and Manure haven’t played in the League yet !
bettyswallocks
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Comment #52Some of those pyramids in Egypt are in a desperate state of repair.
Fostino
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:08 PM
Comment #53Breaking news.
Steven taylor debut. Scores an o.g. And are 3-0 down at half time where he is subbed off. They to on to win 4-3. Just typical of the player
jimmysmith
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:10 PM
Comment #54Janmaat defended well. I don’t accept at all that he’s a poor defender. He can get goal side and tight, and make a clean challenge. He’ll benefit from playing in a winning side and from Rafa’s coaching. He gets forward beautifully, seemingly constantly finding space and going one on one with the opposing fullback. He’s big and he covers ground quickly. Quality EPL fullback in the Championship.
welshgeordie9
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:13 PM
Comment #55Wow is there 152 people on this blog, and i bet out of all the bloggers I’m the best looking one.
welshgeordie9
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:13 PM
Comment #56Only joking guys.
Ha ha ha
bettyswallocks
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:25 PM
Comment #57Welsh…. I suppose you are quite a handsome beast
http://bp3.blogger.com/_5jH2UJQJbk0/RiAUCvWr5NI/AAAAAAAAACY/OoKTwHw3Aes/s320/sheep-chimera-man.jpg
Jib
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:29 PM
Comment #58Janmaat doesn’t get in the box enough – if Rafa can coach him doing that more he’ll be a world beater.He looks for the pass too much he should look for more contact with the opposition.
bettyswallocks
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:37 PM
Comment #59Jib……. Why would Janmaat get in the box, he’s a full/wing back. It’s not his job to be in the box just to supply balls in or defend.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 7, 2016 at 10:40 PM
Comment #60Mr Multiple has added a few new names to the roster I see – he’s as transparent as they come.
jimmysmith
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:01 PM
Comment #61Any club interested in Rivierre will surely be considering him on the basis of his achievements in France, and his time at Newcastle from the context of the shambles behind the scenes. They’ll want him cheap, but I’m not surprised at the possibility. His wages of course may prove the biggest stumbling block, and like Gouffran he may be happy enough to simply see out his contract.
Nufc-83
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:07 PM
Comment #62Jimmy I agree on your Jaanmatt post but not at all on your other one.
– Anita was awful and was constantly giving away possession or making the wrong decision.
– I think Sels has been brought into be no1 so to say he wouldn’t get on the bench is wrong.
– Hayden looks to be one of our best players so far so can’t see him dropping from the side let alone not making the bench.
– Aarons is one of only two wide players in the squad how you see him not making the bench even Is beyond me the lad should be starting.
-Hanley has been brought into be starting or at least 3rd choice CB so he will always at least make the bench.
Belfast
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:15 PM
Comment #63I thought Hayden played ok and would definitely be in ahead of Anita and Colback for me.
Shadow_Shearer
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:21 PM
Comment #64We seriously need another big target man upfront. Last time we were in the championship, we had Carroll & Harewood. Although Harwood wasn’t that good, but still offered something in his physical presence.
I would like to see mitrovic kept on at the club rather than sold, but even I know he’s going to have to many suspensions.
bettyswallocks
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:23 PM
Comment #65Belfast……. I like the look of Hayden too . He’s definitely got some quality.
Maybe Rafa will coach him to cover for Janmaat down the right so Janmaat can get in the box.
Laurent Robert 32
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:38 PM
Comment #66Martoon, good work with the stats.
Tsunki
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:50 PM
Comment #67Thanks for nothing Belfast for playing into Slimy Ians hands by suggesting I’m your stalker, straightaway I get a mention from the Pontificate in celebrated creepy fashion. Bleurgh.
Tsunki
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:56 PM
Comment #68Janmaat should get into the box more often? Ha ha ha I’ve heard it all. There should be a guy forward of him doing that and keeping janmaat pegged back as a defender. Why do you want your right back spending his time as a winger? Maybe Ritchie could cover his position eh? Dear oh dear. Stick to the search engines, snipes and the petty digs, you know, the day job.
Tsunki
Aug 7, 2016 at 11:57 PM
Comment #69Going to bed – up early tomorrow plus I want to make sure I’m away before Ian unfurls his salivating tongue…
Munster Mag
Aug 8, 2016 at 12:09 AM
Comment #70Rafa got it wrong the other nite with anita on the right side. I think janmaat will feature there too but i cud live with that now and again. I like anita though, he never hides and deserves credit for that.
jimmysmith
Aug 8, 2016 at 12:21 AM
Comment #71Nufc83, that post was written assuming Krul, Elliot and Tiote stay.
In that scenario, I don’t know that Sels was brought in to do anything other than compete with Darlow while Krul and Elliot are out injured, and then compete with the three of them, unless one is sold.
Hanley will have to compete with Lascelles the skipper, and Mbemba and Clark, both quite accomplished.
Hayden relatively inexperienced will be up against Tiote, massively so, and Colback, Anita, Shelvey and Diame, all again very accomplished by comparison.
I’m not at all convinced, Sels, Hanley and Hayden will be part of the match day squad should these players stay, and the full group be available for selection.
jimmysmith
Aug 8, 2016 at 12:30 AM
Comment #72I think Aaron’s might struggle to make the bench with a full group to choose from because he’s young, and because Sissoko must surely be replaced by a ready to go first 11 winger.
All these players will feature of course.
jimmysmith
Aug 8, 2016 at 12:57 AM
Comment #73Also, if Perez isn’t picked he gets on the bench ahead of Aarons, as things stand, because of his greater experience and versatility.
so-far-king-quick
Aug 8, 2016 at 1:02 AM
Comment #74Well least villa lost aswell
Belfats
Aug 8, 2016 at 2:12 AM
Comment #75Get in your box Welsh lad
Santon03
Aug 8, 2016 at 3:31 AM
Comment #76Hi all, it’s been awhile.
From the 1st game, we definitely need a target man. We have Mitro but he is suspended and he is our only target man. We need someone to hold the ball and get to the end of crosses with better chance winning the ball than Gayle or Perez.
Ritchie should take all the dead ball not Perez.
I have no problem with Colback but I think Anita – Hayden combination is better.
Ayoze should play as winger probably LW and Ritchie more effective on RW.
It’s either Jonjo in the middle or play 2 strikers if we have a target man.
Arma seems more effective than Gayle imo.
On Rivi, he should take this move whatever wage he will get or his career will end.
Our only choice available for target man right now is Tom Heardman.
Santon03
Aug 8, 2016 at 3:52 AM
Comment #77http://www.squawka.com/news/mcclaren-i-envy-what-rafa-benitez-is-getting-at-newcastle/742168
He is starting to get on my nerve. We spent 80 mil ffs and we couldn’t do sh1t. Rafa came in March with the same exact squad and did better.
How the f@ck he envy Rafa? Rafa now has to rebuild and playing championship football thanks to him. If he was sacked sooner and Rafa had 15 games left, we wouldn’t be in championship.
Damn MOFO!!
Rotonda heights
Aug 8, 2016 at 6:14 AM
Comment #78santon
exactly
Rotonda heights
Aug 8, 2016 at 6:21 AM
Comment #79jib
moyes won the charity shield too.
Ron Knee
Aug 8, 2016 at 7:23 AM
Comment #80“United are looking to bring in another two or three players before the end of the month – and are geared up for a busy three weeks as they apply the finishing touches to the squad that Benitez must mould into a more effective Championship force than we saw on Friday.”
The sooner the better!