Newcastle were after Tunisian International center-back Aymen Abdennour two years ago, but quite honestly at that time we were struggling in the Premier League with John Carver having just been fired and we were in no position to offer a decent deal to the then 25 year-old.
How things have changed in the last 16 months since the great Rafa Benitez arrived at our club right out of the blue on March 11th last year (how did we get him???) and a new era began at the club.
And possibly one of the most successful eras in our long and proud 125 year history – that’s the real hope of our fans in any case.
27 year-old Tunisian International center-back Aymen Abdennour
Newcastle are now an attraction in England for some top players and that will only increase as we expect Rafa to go all out to finish as high up in the Premier League as possible this coming season and he is now after some very good players this summer with the help of Lee Charnley.
The news on Aymen Abdennour is that Everton are also after the player and have reportedly put in a bid of £13M for the 54 times capped Tunisian International defender who is now said to be available from Valencia.
The Spanish sports newspaper AS are reporting the two Premier League clubs will likely have to battle French sides Lyon and Marseille to secure the center back’s signature.
Rafa has other center-backs he is also pursuing, with 26 year-old Frenchman Florian Lejeune expected to join the club – hopefully in the next few days – and the Newcastle manager also seems impressed with 22 year-old Croatian center-back Jozo Simunovic, who had a very good season for Celtic last term..
Rafa could turn this lad into a very good player in a couple of years and he could be a really good buy for us at only £8M and if we were to hazard a guess we’d say Rafa could well prefer the £8M 9 times capped Croatian U21 International to £13M Aymen Abdennour.
Newcastle will keep captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark at the club, after both did well last season at the heart of the Newcastle defense, but if Rafa is able to bring in two center-backs we could also see former Anderlecht defender Chancel Mbemba sold this summer.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
108 comments so far
Shadow_Shearer
Jun 21, 2017 at 3:26 PM
Comment #1I’ve just watched Vincent abubakar & I must say, what a player. we must have him signed up soon as possible. He’s got very good strength, lighting speed, & absolutely outrageous skill on the ball. Can easily beat a defender or two. That exactly what we have been missing since Ben arfa or Townsend left. Now I can see what all the fuss is about, just imagine what rafa could do with him. Sign him up asap please! Absolute bargain at 10 million. Will be going for 20 or 30 million in 3 years.
cestriasteve
Jun 21, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Comment #2Not a hope in hell will he come to us, I got myself all excited 2 years ago. Beast of a Centre Half but too much money and he is injury prone plus he sat out most of the 2nd half of last season as he was displaced.
qtoon
Jun 21, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Comment #3Here we go again. Has Tranquillo Barnetta been let out of Jesmond Dene House yet, surely its time he signed, too?
Bobbybee
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:17 PM
Comment #4So, here at my mates in Washington and he says, and ‘I’ve got something for you, I keep forgetting’. Pulls out a Warren Barton match day shirt! He forgot he had it and and turned it up looking for something else.
He’s also got a Toon top with the autographs of King kev and the lads. It’s the Newcastle Brown top – you know the one. 🙂
jazzyp
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Comment #5Manchester City defender and French international Eliaquim Mangala visited Lyon’s training facilities yesterday as he continues his search for a new club.
Mangala, who has been informed that he is surplus to requirements for Pep Guardiola’s team, also has considerable interest from Italy, and his taking his time over an eventual decision
Doesn’t look like we had any real interest in Mangala from the offset. And I would be surprised if Valencia let Abdennour leave as well.
Would any one prefer Smalling as he is proven in this league rather than taking a chance on the two mentioned above
Bobbybee
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Comment #6Whoops, pressed submit. I’ve told him to keep that one, but anybody any idea what he could get for it?
Krul To Be Kind
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Comment #7I’m not too fussed about abdennour, slow no nonsense centre half’s are a dime a dozen, we need something different than him, personally I don’t rate him and believe that he isn’t any better than what we already have, I would prefer a quick English speaker with leadership abilities in their early to mid twenties but I’m struggling to think of anyone that would be available with those attributes but more pressingly I believe we need the defensive flanks reinforced firstly as the depth in this area of our squad is paper thin.
Krul To Be Kind
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #8Jazzy
Smalling would be a great signing but I believe he could be staying in the top 6 of the EPL with one of the top clubs, he is a great player and has all the attributes I mentioned earlier but I just cannot see him wanting to come to us this summer while he is still in his pomp… I would love to be wrong on this though
loonie-toon
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #9We play Bradford City 26 July wen will ticket b available am in Bradford
TikiTakaAcca
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:27 PM
Comment #10Shadow_Shearer
That comment is so childish. So you’ve watched a few YouTube clips and now he’s a must sign? Also comparing him to the skill of Ben Arfa.
Hes not that good, hence why load did clubs ARE NOT queueing up to get him for 9M.
Also what we’ve been missing since Townsend left.
Get a grip. Townsend is shocking.
Our Toon
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:28 PM
Comment #11Well it’s Wednesday and still no closer to signing anyone, apparently things have changed at nufc
jazzyp
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:29 PM
Comment #12Krul
We can always hope buddy. This is the type of player we need to start looking at if we are to get to that next step. Progression is a must otherwise were gonna end up back were we just came from if the board think they can scrimp in and around the bargain basement
WLtoon
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Comment #13We are no nearer signing players than when the season ended.Its ok saying these are Rafa,s targets but its up to Charnley to get them over the line and he aint doing it .
Krul To Be Kind
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #14Jazzy
I agree 100% I just wish we could go straight to stellar signings instead of this building the club back up bull#@%£… Where are all the rich consortium’s when you need them! 🙂
SPRINGY
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #15Bobby
Nee idea on top mate,isnt there a shop near china town that sells memoriblia(excuse the spelling)…he myt be able to give ya mate a price….anyway bobby isn’t ya feet burnin being so close to the unwashed borders! ….mine do and im in springwell,thats to close for comfort!!!!Lol
SPRINGY
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:45 PM
Comment #16Just to clarify thats the village in gateshead…..not the one centre of sunderland! Lol
Shadow_Shearer
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:49 PM
Comment #17TickTacaAcca
I see your points in your message, but that has got to be the most negative reply I have ever seen. You sound like the kind of guy who would say I only won 5 million in the lottery.
Rotonda heights
Jun 21, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #18it appears this new guy ash has brought in as a ”fixer” and deal maker over and above charnley has had zero impact thus far.
Also no mention other than Boudebouz (unlikely) and cairney (not coming) of a playmaker should shelvey get injured.
Mister Tuff
Jun 21, 2017 at 5:18 PM
Comment #19Penfold will be working hard on Rafas’ list of players. It takes time to work throught the list – I’m sure Penfold will be at least half way through. He’ll be very busy at the moment.
jimiley
Jun 21, 2017 at 5:54 PM
Comment #20Are we there yet?
Bobbybee
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:04 PM
Comment #21Aye Springy, I’m undercover in enemy territory mate. That said, there’s as many mags as mackems in Ayton. Got a big Toon emblem badge on the back window and never had it smashed here yet. 🙂 Just been talking and this shirt is twenty years old ffs. Where did THAT go?
YoungMag :P
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Comment #22Bobby that shirt is older then me lol.
Bobbybee
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:12 PM
Comment #23Time just flies past Burnley, enjoy it whilst you’re young. No regrets mate.
RUNAWAY777
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:13 PM
Comment #24Here we go again round the block nothing knew today glad iam on holiday till the beginning of August.
Salmon toon
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Comment #25TikiTakaAcca
The majority of the people in here have no clue about football.Which is why I usually don’t bother Aha ha..
YoungMag :P
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Comment #26Mhm good words. I’ll try my best 🙂
jazzyp
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #27Will Hughes in advanced talks with Watford for 8 mill.
How many seasons have we been linked with him
Budge123
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:52 PM
Comment #28At 8 million that is a steal.
Was really hoping he would be one of the surprises here.
Shame if we don’t get him esp at that kind of price
Jib
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Comment #29Training starts in 11 days
Things are going to kick off starting Monday
ShirebrookToon
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:56 PM
Comment #30You sure about that Jib?
Toonces
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #31Runaway.. thanks for letting us know. I don’t know what to do with myself if you aren’t here to tell us everyday that no one has been signed. Too bad you have internet and feel the urge to keep whinging – or maybe you’ll be lucky and you won’t have internet while on your vacation. You’ll probably be a lot happier not knowing that we didn’t sign anyone. Have a great time.
Average_Contents
Jun 21, 2017 at 6:59 PM
Comment #32Toonces
lol.
Makes it worse that 90% of posts are unreadable too.
sing in the corner
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:01 PM
Comment #33Springy
Aye, there are big signs in Springwell Village : ‘city of sunderland’. (I take the pish out of wor lass cos that’s where she’s from and she still has a hoose there!)
🙂
Jib
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:02 PM
Comment #34Shirebrook absolutely!
beermonkey
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:05 PM
Comment #35jazzy
how are u
how has will hughs after his bad injury maybe thats why he is so cheap
jazzyp
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:07 PM
Comment #36Has Lejuene arrived yet?? His imminent arrival has been going on now for weeks.
jazzyp
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:11 PM
Comment #37Beermonkey
Evening bud. Bet it’s been a scorcher down there mate ain’t it
Just been reported on East mid news buddy that Hughes is in Advanced talks with Watford, Even tho he’s with the England under 21s
beermonkey
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:17 PM
Comment #38jazzy
i wont complain about the weather but i am glad i live on the coast the sea breeze is awsome i wouldnt want to be in land
always liked hughs but not seen alot of him since his injury derby always wanted alot for him 8 mill is cheap from what was being quoted for him
jazzyp
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:23 PM
Comment #39Beermonkey
I sent my lads home Monday.. It was pushing 33 on site and no shade.
On Hughes,He’s always been touted around notably with Liverpool.But has always seemingly been passed over every season.
8 mill is cheap in this day and age but would love Carvalho still
ShirebrookToon
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:28 PM
Comment #40Jazzy
It’s been a scorcher today too and I’ve been out in it all day.
On Carvalho, Man City are supposedly in talks now