It’s obvious that Rafa Benitez knows we need another striker brought in over the next five days to add some firepower up front.
And today we have been linked with a number of striker targets.
Inter-Milan striker Stevan Jovetic, the former Manchester City striker, is probably Rafa’s top choice but there seems little chance of getting him to Newcastle since the player himself fancies a move to Spain.
And we have been linked with 30-year-old Loic Remy from Chelsea, but if we sign Kenedy on loan, that means we cannot have another Chelsea player on loan at Newcastle.
Shane Long of Southampton
Remy couldn’t, therefore, come in on loan and therefore the only option we would have is to buy him on a permanent basis; we’re not sure Rafa thinks that would be a good deal.
We have again been linked with Leicester City striker Islam Slimani who we were linked with earlier this summer, but in no way can we afford near the £29M he cost the Foxes when he came in last summer from Sporting Lisbon.
And we have even been linked with Southampton forward Shane Long who we have been interested in signing for some years now, and he is now finding it difficult to get playing time down on the south coast.
A loan deal or permanent buy would seem to be open to Newcastle, but maybe the Saints would want a sizable fee for the 30-year-old?
It’s hoped that Newcastle can bring four players in and move about six players out in the next five days, but that looks to be extremely difficult.
What is certain is that Newcastle will be busy right up the last day of the transfer window next Thursday to fortify our fairly ordinary-looking squad.
Here’s what Rafa has said about the transfers as reported in the Chronicle:
“I expect to be quite busy we’re working to find solution to some players,” “I don’t know if offloading players will free up funds.”
“We’re reducing the number of players we have and continue to look for other options in the market.”
“Four or five times a day, I speak to Lee. I know what he is doing. We will try and get some time to do the business. We are working very hard behind the scenes.”
“Riviere has gone, we wish him all the best, he was fine with us. De Jong is talking with Ajax. That means we are working, we are trying to do what we have to do.”
“We don’t have too much time but we’re trying to move players out, and we have to do that to bring players in.”
Comments welcome.
32 comments so far
Canadian Mag
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:02 PM
Comment #1Alonso on loan would do for me. Then sort out a proper no 10
Canadian Mag
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Comment #2Well at least autocorrect changed slimani to another footballers name
AncientC
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Comment #3Shane Long would be the perfect fit. Adam Armstrong plays with a similar style; Long may be of benefit for Armstrong to train alongside.
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:10 PM
Comment #4Jesper
Congratulations on ya bairn being born,hope everyone’s well mate.
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:12 PM
Comment #5Seems to be a lot of striker names being thrown around,not convinced by any of them if im honest.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:13 PM
Comment #6Shane Long looks possible. And he is a good player that works his aocks off for the team and can hold the ball up well. He ain’t slow either and a decent finisher. Shame about his age though, but beggars can’t be choosers. I think I prefer Kenedy on loan with option to buy along with Long. But if Kenedy has no option to buy then I think i prefer Remy on loan with Long.
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Comment #7Shane long would be mint. Great attitude, still has pace, physically tough from hurling as a kid and teen. Come on Ashley get it done.
Rotonda heights
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:21 PM
Comment #8it must be great for any player to play in a pep guardiola team. total football at it’s finest.
optimistic prime
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:28 PM
Comment #9Nae wonder Rafa looks sick,he speaks to Charnley four or five times a day,thats enough to sicken anyone.
FollowFollow
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #10Don’t forget Shane Long was never good enough for us.
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/04/everybodys-forgotten-alan-pardews-explanation-newcastle-didnt-buy-shane-long-newcastle-united/
widowmagandapoke
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #11This smacks of past windows where there is a lot of talk but no action. I am not holding my breath.
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:30 PM
Comment #12My problem with long is he doesn’t seem to score a lot and he seems to be injured a lot….it myt just be that he’s just not picked to play and not injured bit then you have to ask whys he not playing….cant knock his pace or work rate tbh tho.
toon22
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #13Every one of them are bargain bin
In all honesty does anyone think we should buy any of them?
Cheap tat n rubbish the whole club.
chicousa
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:37 PM
Comment #142-1 Toon. HWTL!
Ashley pi$$ off!
Lindisfarne
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #15Swansea(?)
Bournemouth
Brighton
Crystal Palace
West Ham
5 other clubs in the same situation as us.
Krul To Be Kind
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #16Today is when the side busts a gut to make up for appearing like rabbits in the headlights in the last 2 pl games… All is forgiven… Let’s get our season underway today!
Anyone looking for a stream today just to let you all know NBCSN is showing today’s game in the US if you can get a link to that channel.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:49 PM
Comment #171 Hour 10 Mins to KO
oldarse
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:50 PM
Comment #18Also livenet tv on firestick sports beIN 11 mena
The overrated Frenchman
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:53 PM
Comment #19For Aussies wanting to watch the game, if anyone has missed it, Optus Sports is still within the free one month trial period for downloading onto a device – in my case a tablet but there are other options I know. You don’t need to take a TV package at this point to see the games, although my understanding of all this is pretty flimsy. A bit like a Benitez game plan.
john tudor
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #20passed caring
hwtl
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:56 PM
Comment #21See that Findlay off to Kilmarnock on loan till January, I’d guess that going out of the Chocolate cup helped precipitate that move. Probably a good move for him. Although I thought he’d be a contender for us in the coming months.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Comment #221 Hour 1 Minute to KO
AncientC
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:59 PM
Comment #23Murphy on the Left, Ritchie on the right. Perez behind Mitrovic. *Fingers crossed*
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 1:59 PM
Comment #24Teams should be up soon.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Comment #25Oh, are they up Ancient?
BenArfa the magician
Aug 26, 2017 at 2:01 PM
Comment #26Same team as last week just Joselu instead of Gayle
expatmag
Aug 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #27TOF
I got the full TV package on satelite dish for an extra 20 bucks a month on my optus mobile bill. I also got it on my phone……24/7…..EPL football on both TV and phone mate……not bad for 20 bucks or around 8 quid
Bambams
Aug 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #281Elliot
19Manquillo
6Lascelles
2Clark
18Mbemba
23Merino
14Hayden
30Atsu
17Pérez
11Ritchie
21Joselu
expatmag
Aug 26, 2017 at 2:05 PM
Comment #29Rafa must really dislike Mitro
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Comment #30Ashley needs to fcuk off! I’m sick of that twat holding the club back! Sell up ffs put us out of our misery; poxy clubs like Bournemouth and Swansea making us look stupid by outspending us! The least the twat could’ve done is guarantee a loan till next season! Of all the billionaires in the world we get this one! Why buy a football club if you haven’t got ambition!
However if we do win today the momentum is back with Rafa!
mfw13
Aug 26, 2017 at 5:13 PM
Comment #31The truth is, though, that we don’t need another striker. Gayle, Joselu. Mitro, & Perez provide plenty of depth.
And bringing in a striker at the cost of selling or loaning out Mitro would be stupid.
What we really need is a good number #10….who can operate at the top of the box in tight spaces and create chances.
nufc 11
Aug 26, 2017 at 5:34 PM
Comment #32Love to sign long exactly the type player we need