The Guardian reported yesterday that Newcastle were interested in 24 year-old Reading striker Scott Hogan and could bid for him next month, as Rafa Benitez is looking to boost the firepower at Newcastle up front for the rest of the season.
And the Chronicle is reporting today that it looks like Scott is indeed a target of Newcastle’s next month – that’s from chief sports writer Lee Ryder.
Rafa wants to bring in another striker next month and we have been linked with quite a few strikers this season including Sebastian Haller of Utrecht, Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson and former target Saido Berahino of West Brom among others.
24 year-old Scott Hogan – a target in January for the Magpies
24 year-old Scott Hogan started his career at Rochdale where he came through the Youth system there but he has generally played in the lower leagues, so there could be a big question mark as to whether he can perform in the Premier League.
Rafa wants to bring in players in January who are good enough to play in the Premier League – hopefully next season when Newcastle are promoted – although nothing is ever certain in football.
Hogan is third top scorer in the Championship at the moment with 13 goals in 23 league appearances behind Dwight Gayle with 17 goals and Brighton’s Glenn Murray with 15.
He joined Brentford from Rochdale in the summer of 2103 for £750K on a three year contract, but he then signed a one year extension last year which keeps him at the club through June of 2018.
The reports are that Brentford want a whopping £15M for him, but surely Newcastle wouldn’t pay that much for a player who is completely untested at the highest levels?
But there again maybe Rafa sees something in the 24 year-old and could make him into a much better player.
If Newcastle do bring Scott in next month that’s probably the reason, with Rafa having the knack of spotting some good players with potential that he can then develop – players like Isaac Hayden, Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie and others.
Even though Scott has spent time in the lower divisions he has scored 79 goals in 163 first team appearances in his career – and that’s about one goal every two games – so perhaps he is a natural goalscorer?
Certainly Scott has shown he can score goals in the Championship and if we sign him he could help us during the run-in to the season.
But if he comes to Newcastle surely it would have to be for a lot less than £15M – that’s almost all profit for Brentford in three and a half years.
And while we are negotiating Scott’s transfer maybe we can get Brentford playmaker Alan Judge in too.
Alan’s a free agent in June and would come at a nominal transfer fee.
What do you think?
Loading ...Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7 
59 comments so far
Bambams
Dec 30, 2016 at 2:32 PM
Comment #1I still don’t think we will know who we are after until they turn up at the training ground.
hibbit
Dec 30, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #2Bambams
100% agree its just a guessing game till they appear at benton
the press no nowts haven’t got a clue what they don’t know they make up
Jib
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #3Rafa’s guests from Extramadura – bienvenido a Tyneside – brrr
nut meg
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #4For those who may be interested.
Scott Hogan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnUm9KlpHDA
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Comment #5Rafas brought the local press in from the dark so I wouldn’t be too dismissive of the info they have might be more to it than there used to be
Norlinsen
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Comment #6Is the game tonight being televised?
AncientC
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Comment #7An experimental formation I would be interested to see:
————–Darlow————
Yedlin—Lascelles–Hayden–Clark
—————Mbemba—————
Atsu———- Diame————Richie
————-Mitrovic–Gayle—–
I believe Hayden has the makings of a good CB, more so than a PL midfielder. Mbemba’s shoulder-blocking and professional fouls would stifle any dangerous counter-attacks.
In fact, just register that one for the bingo, I never get it right anyway.
reilly
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:13 PM
Comment #8Darlow
anita lascelles clark dummet
atsu colback hayden goofy
perez
gayle
Jib
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:17 PM
Comment #9At Rafa’s presser he said that he’s asked The Ghana Football Association if Atsu can delay joining The Black Stars for a week or so.
That tells me:-
a
Christian is going to start tonight or vs Blackburn on Monday
b
He has a similar style player in the pipeline.
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:17 PM
Comment #10Darlow
yedlin lascelles clark lazar
Ritchie diame hayden atsu
Perez
gayle
ATTACK!!!!!
Jib
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:28 PM
Comment #11Rafa says he asked The Ghana Football Association but I bet it was actually a telephone conversation between him and the Ghana manager , his old mate Avram Grant.
hibbit
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:29 PM
Comment #12WWSBRD
the scott hogan story is not from a local source its from the Guardian a few days ago that other papers are now just picking up on
Legolas
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:31 PM
Comment #13Ok, here is my confirmed Rafa bingo selection.
Going with a bit of a mix up here.
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Ritchie Colback Diame Atsu
Gayle Mitrovich
HWTL
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:35 PM
Comment #14hibbit
I thought I saw the Chris confirm it earlier but I could be wrong in all fairness
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2016 at 3:35 PM
Comment #15The chron*
firebug666
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:03 PM
Comment #16Wonder if Lansbury will be playing tonight, as reports say he is in talks with Newcastle and Watford. Don’t know if it has been mentioned already.
http://the72.co.uk/70540/nottingham-forest-star-enters-talks-with-newcastle-united-and-watford/
Jib
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:08 PM
Comment #17firebug
Eeh no it’s never been mentioned !
http://www.nufcblog.com/2016/12/30/newcastle-linked-with-shock-midfield-target/
😀
firebug666
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:09 PM
Comment #18Guess Lansbury won’t be playing tonight then:-
What are the injury concerns? Who will be in the teams?
Jonjo Shelvey serves the second of his five-game suspension, while Rolando Aarons and Jesus Gamez remain on the long-term injury list.
Forest are without a host of players ahead of the trip to Tyneside.
Michael Mancienne is suspended, while Henri Lansbury, Chris Cohen, Dani Pinillos, Danny Fox, Amrand Traore, and Damien Perquis are ruled out with injury.
To add insult to injury, young defender Joe Worrall is also a doubt for the Reds.
firebug666
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:11 PM
Comment #19Jib
Very good jib, but as I posted last night I have been having internet trouble, so have not had the chance to catch up. Still give yourself a nice pat on the back, I’m sure you feel you deserve it.
Belfast
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:20 PM
Comment #20Why would you want Perez starting Taco ? He’s been our worst player this season imo My head was in my hands the other night when he came on lol
Belfast
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:22 PM
Comment #21Belfast // Dec 29, 2016 at 10:22 PM
Rafa bingo
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clarke Dummett
Ritchie Hayden Diame Atsu
Mitro Gayle
Belfast
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:23 PM
Comment #22I think Ritchie plays much better when Yedlin is playing.
Belfast
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:25 PM
Comment #23And reilly sorry
I hope he gets a few weeks off myself.
lesh
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:29 PM
Comment #24Hodkinson
I’m not certain, but I think we’re on one of the Sky channels.
Give it a few minutes and Jiblets’ll check google and confirm or otherwise.
reilly
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:32 PM
Comment #25i carnt see rafa going 4-4-2.
i just fancy perez behind gayle,as diame had a stinker against shef wed.
Belfast
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:34 PM
Comment #26No it’s Hull v Everton on sky tonight mate.
I see the referee Clattenberg is interested in a move to China. Haha! Is this the next thing now ? Poaching the top referees? 🙂
I’d probably be very interested myself to be honest.
lesh
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:35 PM
Comment #27Wasn’t the Grauniad found to be the most or second most accurate reporter of potential transfers? So, does that give the Hogan story any legs?
If there is something in this story and Brentford want £15m, he’ll not be in on January first or second or whatever date the window opens. They’ll drag any negotiations out to get as near the £15m as they can. Or maybe it might turn out to be Hogan and Judge for £15 or thereabouts.
Mag52
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Comment #28With Brighton at home to Cardiff tonight, we really need the three points as Hughton’s boys look good for all three.
Hopefully Fulham will get a point at Reading to slow them down a bit.
Jib
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Comment #29Only Hull vs Everton and Ian Cathro’s Jam Tarts vs Aberdeen of UK footy on TV tonight
It’s back to this tonight
wynsleap
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:42 PM
Comment #30Maybe Hogan and Judge would assist our Championship challenge but don’t think either would be Premiership material.
Think we have to aim higher than that.
Jib
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:44 PM
Comment #31If the Chinese are throwing money at every facet of footy – Lilongwe Geordie could become Lijiang Geordie
😀
chicousa
Dec 30, 2016 at 4:54 PM
Comment #32Rafa bingo confirmed lineup
Darlow
yedlin lascelles clark lazar
Ritchie diame hayden atsu
Gayle Mitro
5-0 score
HWTL /. HWTF
Budge123
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:05 PM
Comment #33Confirmed Rafa Bingo Bango
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Ritchie Hayden Colback Atsu
diame
Gayle
4-0 Toon.
Take the f#ckers apart
Jail for Ashley
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:09 PM
Comment #34This Scot Hogan is going to want a five year deal as well most likely
lordy_geordie
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:12 PM
Comment #35If he is a reading player why is Brentford dictating the price?
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:15 PM
Comment #36Belfast
Unfortunately we do not have a natural 10. 2 DCMs will not work, Diame can play box to box with hayden and perez is the most likely to create for gayle. Id rather have diame there but hes the best shelvy replacement we have.
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:15 PM
Comment #37Belfast
Unfortunately we do not have a natural 10. 2 DCMs will not work, Diame can play box to box with hayden and perez is the most likely to create for gayle. Id rather have diame there but hes the best shelvy replacement we have.
jasper
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:22 PM
Comment #38Rafa Bingo
Darlow
Anita
Lascalles
Clark
Dummett
Hayden
Colback
Ritchie
Atsu
Perez
Gayle
What I’d like to see, but won’t
Mitro
Yedlin
mbemba
For Colback, Anita moving to midfield or LB
For Dummett, Mbemba LB or DM
And Mitro for Perez
With bingo team, 2-0
With alternate, 5-0
mad-serb
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:24 PM
Comment #39I forgot my score for tonight in the bingo
So here go
3-1
Bambams
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:30 PM
Comment #40I have a feeling Mitro will start tonight.
Rafa Bingo
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummet
Ritchie Hayden Diame Atsu
Mitro Gayle
2-0 toon