The Telegraph are reporting that Newcastle are now likely to sign James McCarthy, as the Republic of Ireland International prepares to leave the Toffees where he did not play many first team games under Ronald Koeman last season.
Rafa Benitez was keen to get both Andros Townsend and James McCarthy in during the January transfer window, but that was not possible but now Rafa seems to be making a move for both players.
26 year-old James McCarthy
There was news today that Newcastle will lodge a bid for Andros Townsend of Crystal Palace later this week.
James has not played many first team games this season (13 in all) but he has also had a few injuries notably a groin strain which caused some problems with him being called up by the Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill for World Cup qualifying games.
Ronald Koeman complained the injuries had only become worse when he went to report to the Ireland squad and let’s just say there was some squabbling in the press between the two strong-willed managers.
Since Newcastle were very keen to get James in January we have to believe there has already been some talking with Everton officials about signing McCarthy.
But Ronald Koeman could play hardball on the transfer fee with the news being he could hold out for £20M for James.
But James is just the type of central midfielder player Newcastle need now and he’s be worth that money in today’s inflated transfer market.
Rafa has said he wants to sign players with Premier League experience this summer and James has played a total of 224 Premier League games for Wigan and Everton over the last eight seasons.
Just what we need and he would certainly improve our midfield big time.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
111 comments so far
Bambams
May 29, 2017 at 12:35 PM
Comment #1I think there could be better players available. Koeman has turned Everton around without him, if we do go for him I would argue 20 million is steep for a player who is not a regular
jayphoto
May 29, 2017 at 12:38 PM
Comment #2can’t see why we’d write of ranocchia… rafa loves a giant CB, and to be fair he looked really decent for the most part for Hull… he’s a good player! Be surprised if Silva doesn’t try and take him to Watford though.
Really like McCarthy, but his injury proneness should be off putting… for 20m I’d assume we could sign better tbh
giimps
May 29, 2017 at 12:40 PM
Comment #3Heres another one whos price is directly proportional to the massive tv money and homegrown status but not unfortunately to his ability…….not for me …..not for that price…….maybe 7-8m
SPRINGY
May 29, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Comment #4Not sure mccarthy could be described as a play maker,grafter yes but at 20m…very steep,half that price yeah as i do think we need competition in midfield.
JP...from The Rock
May 29, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Comment #5Don’t want this guy here and first of all he ain’t a playmaker!
magicmac54
May 29, 2017 at 12:49 PM
Comment #6As an Irishman, who has supported Ireland and Newcastle all my life, iam 62 now, i really hope Newcastle do not sign Mc Carthy, he is very overrated, he has no pace, does not command midfield, is not creative in anyway, does not score many goals, ive watched him for many years plating for ireland and Everton, and have never been impressed at all, in fact very very few Ireland fans rate him, and the irish fans are very great and fair fans, in my view he is not even as good as Colback, need i say anymore, he is not worth anymore than 5 million, i really hope there is no truth in Newcastle being interested in Mc Carthy. HWTL.
jayphoto
May 29, 2017 at 12:56 PM
Comment #7@magicmac – suprising to hear,you’re right, Irish fans if anything usually overrate their players and are always positive!
McCarthys one of those where we’ve all seen him a lot, and for most he’s rarely caught the eye.. I’ll trust rafa like, but I can only think this was a January championship target not a premier league target (I hope)
gonufc (Newcastle United Sports Direct Advertising Club)
May 29, 2017 at 1:12 PM
Comment #8Wouldn’t call him a Playmaker- he’s more of the opposite. I think he’s okay but not worth 20m. I think he got a little over hyped when he went to Everton and that reflects his price now even though Koeman doesn’t want him.
Think we could get much better for that money.
giimps
May 29, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Comment #9Easy link, Lazy journalism …..again……mind you …..who havent we been linked with ,it was inevitable really, we need players, we were interested in Jan (apparently) whats changed, …..oh yes, the league were in now, Mcarthy cant get into Everton side but he is who were going to blow a substantial part of our budget on to a (hopefully) direct opponent thus strengthening their hand, we should be going after whoever Everton would replace him with ……IMHO, im pretty sure Rafa has worldwide contacts too……if it wa sme though…..id rather have Delph at a third of the price, quicker, more mobile and useful.
Salmon
May 29, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Comment #10Don’t want McCarthy myself.All I saw from him was silly and leg breaking tackles;
brawling,etc..Seems Ed is the only one who has been keen on him.I’d like to have Stefan Nzonzi instead for that holding Midfield role.
giimps
May 29, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Comment #1120m is what i would expect to pay for a half decent striker never mind a destroyer (Kante aside) god il be pleased when the season starts and we have all (or as many as we can get) of our targets …..its doing my napper in already and this season aint even finished yet
kilcline
May 29, 2017 at 1:28 PM
Comment #12Need to go all out for Carvalho to be our beast of a defensive mid, similar to what Spurs have.
Bring in Townsend on the wing and take the Barca play maker. Then spend big on a striker like batashuyai and concentrate on 3 defenders, hull got relegated for a reason so let’s not buy their whole defence!!
Mister Tuff
May 29, 2017 at 1:37 PM
Comment #13Please – no Townsend – he’s just interested in himself. London boy – hope he stops there.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 29, 2017 at 1:38 PM
Comment #14There was a comment on the news this morning saying that winning the Play offs will be worth £170m.
Really! Is this a one off or part of their future EPL earnings, if it’s the former then was it worth more for that team to be promoted that way than it was for us to be going up as champions.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 29, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #15Rafa, if he aint good enough for Everton then he’s not good enough for us. Simple logic. 🙂
AncientC
May 29, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #16You could probably get Daley Blind for slightly more than it would cost for McCarthy. The only problem would be competition for Blind’s signature. I doubt there would be much of a bidding war for McCarthy – which would attract Charnley.
geordiemark
May 29, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Comment #1720 million have to be joking cant even get in the everton team, 7 million tops that’s it
Ron Knee
May 29, 2017 at 2:05 PM
Comment #18Prutton backs Huddersfield!
cyprus
May 29, 2017 at 2:11 PM
Comment #19I think it’s that 20 million tag…
Is this the guy who busted up heidara?
sing in the corner
May 29, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Comment #20Definitely yes to Toonsend – what he did is all water under the bridge and he was a revelation for us when he came. Rafa seems very keen on him and that’ll do for me!
Definitely no to McCarthy – don’t see what is better about him than Colback.
Definitely maybe to Cairney. He has promise but another one that’s not worth 20mill, which is the figure that’s been bandied around.
sing in the corner
May 29, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Comment #21Nah that was McManamanaman
cyprus
May 29, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Comment #22How much is Barkley going for?
Salmon
May 29, 2017 at 2:21 PM
Comment #23Ancient – blind sounds good choice too.I won’t reject him If I get a chance.
Is versatile, killing three birds in one..
Definitely my choice instead of McCarthy.
AncientC
May 29, 2017 at 2:56 PM
Comment #24Yeah, Blind only has 1 year left on his contract at Man Utd. Wages currently around 75k a week. Seems manageable.
NezzaNUFC
May 29, 2017 at 3:05 PM
Comment #25Sorry but we all see how shite McCarthy is,and he’s not a playmaker (goes to show how much these pathetic newspaper fools know about football) and he’s also prone to injuries so no thanks.
Plus if we see him as a downgrade so does Rafa end off!
NezzaNUFC
May 29, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #26AncientC
Yeah top player but who would start though Shelvey or Blind?
SPRINGY
May 29, 2017 at 3:12 PM
Comment #27The lad at huddersfield,philip billings looks a good player…not sure how much they want for him,but worth a look…out injured at the minute tho i believe.
expatmag
May 29, 2017 at 3:15 PM
Comment #28Brown…..miss of the season
AncientC
May 29, 2017 at 3:16 PM
Comment #29I would play Shelvey and Blind together in that scenario. Hayden is still an unknown quantity at PL level, and would get his chances via injuries, form, or ability to play in other positions (CB for me).
Ron Knee
May 29, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #30Huddersfield should be 2-0 up.
manxpie
May 29, 2017 at 3:57 PM
Comment #31Ron knee have a look at this re john noakes bloody mental 70s health and safety
Take a look at @northumbriana’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/northumbriana/status/869126909170524160?s=09
Toonces
May 29, 2017 at 3:59 PM
Comment #32EGB @ 14
The game isn’t directly worth that amount. It is an estimate of what promotion to the EPL as result of winning this game could be worth. The winner doesn’t get a winfall prize. This link might help explain better.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-could-net-nearly-13089502
Ron Knee
May 29, 2017 at 4:03 PM
Comment #33manxpie
Amazing stuff!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 29, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Comment #34Toonces
Cheers for the info. thought it was something like that.
GeordieTwo
May 29, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Comment #3520M???? He’s not worth half that. Ridiculous.
Chancel My MBembaship
May 29, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Comment #36This game is going to be decided by a 121st minute own goal, with someone shanking the ball into his own net due to tired legs.
jazzyp
May 29, 2017 at 5:16 PM
Comment #37Newcastle are close to agreeing a deal with Montpellier for playmaker Ryad Boudebouz, according to Le Buteur.
The French news outlet claims that Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has sanctioned a move for the 27-year-old.Apparantly Rafa has met with his agent and talks were positive.
If we were thinking of spending 20 mill on Mcarthy then surely its a no brainer to go for Carvalho
GeordieTwo
May 29, 2017 at 5:16 PM
Comment #38If we’re going to fork oot 20M let’s at least get a decent player for it. Unbelievable.
ShirebrookToon
May 29, 2017 at 5:17 PM
Comment #39Could give these till next Monday and they still wouldn’t score!
ShirebrookToon
May 29, 2017 at 5:22 PM
Comment #40Jazzy
Does it say what the fee is/would be?