Newcastle have been interested in signing 26-year-old Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun for some time now, but there are other Premier League clubs also interested in him.
Newcastle watched the Turkish international in the 1-1 home draw to Porto on Tuesday night, and that point allowed Besiktas to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
And maybe the Turkish giants would now be unwilling to lose their top striker in the January transfer window?
Tottenham have been following the player for a few months, and a report in Fanatik suggested that Crystal Palace, Roma, and Nice were represented at the game in addition to Newcastle.
Cenk Tosun – Newcastle’s top target
Chelsea and Manchester United have also had scouts at Besiktas games this season although it’s not clear which player(s) they are watching.
Cenk Tosun seems like he’s Newcastle’s top target for January, and we simply must bring in at least one new striker at that time so we can score more goals.
Cenk would seem to be a good buy for around £17M and hopefully, that amount of money will be available even if Mike Ashley is still the owner.
Surely Ashley knows he has to protect his sizable investment in Newcastle, as he tries to sell the club?
We hope so because if he refuses to spend money this January, it could turn out to be perilous for Newcastle.
And we are not talking about his money being invested in January – we are talking about the club’s money in all of this.
Hopefully, Mike Ashley will know better and do the right thing in January if he is still the owner.
Tosun has scored 7 goals with 3 assist in his 17 appearances this season and looks like a good player – who can score goals.
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90 comments so far
Ron Knee
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:03 AM
Comment #1The supporters and Rafa will be mightily p*ssed off if the deal doesn’t happen but why should it affect the players?
lochinvar
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:07 AM
Comment #2Ron – if I was a player and the deal failed preventing the opportunity to sign Messi and Bale to take us into the Champions League I might be a tad p&ssed off !
lesh
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:09 AM
Comment #3…..Or if the deal were to go through and players knew they’d be out the door..
Jib
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:10 AM
Comment #4Crowd rumblings might have a knock-on effect
on the players.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:12 AM
Comment #5loch,
On a more realistic note though it will be another mess of a window with the club bringing in the ones at the bottom of Rafas list rather than the ones he really wants. It will affect the crowd and in turn the players. We’ll be bombarded with Rafa walking stories and we’ll very possibly slide.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:14 AM
Comment #6lesh,
That depends on the player, some thrive on that and some disappear.
Ron Knee
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:14 AM
Comment #7Surely the spectators will still get behind the team?
lochinvar
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:16 AM
Comment #8Surely the deal works with £300m up front and further instalments of say £25m if we avoid relegation and another £25m if we say finish 10th or higher – much of that £50m being recouped by new owners if the objectives are achieved. Ashley’s a betting man so should appeal to him. £300m hard cash now and no retrospective penalties with the possibility of £350m if the season ends well.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Comment #9Saying that mind, the two January windows where we looked like getting relegated things were done like a proper football club. Except that year when John Carver took this gs in to his own hands and delivered a club record losing streak.
Ron Knee
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Comment #10Is anybody suggesting that Rafa will walk out if the deal doesn’t come off?
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Comment #11Jail
I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
By then Yellowstone will have erupted, a giant asteroid will have smashed into the Earth and the ice caps will have melted so another relegation isn’t such a big deal.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Comment #12Well it’s payback time!
We have a birthday boy today…no other than someone who’s usually back by popular demand!
Pass the parcel starts at 3.30pm, musical statues at 4pm then some pizza in ibiza and cake (gluten free…just so you know). See you all there. The cheapskate says to bring your own beer…
?
FYI…Belfast is not invited!
Happy Birthday Ibizatoon, you old looking b*st*rd.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Comment #13On a more serious note can someone explain why Willian is more often than not on the subs bench.
If they don’t really want him then I’d like to see some of the possible mythical warchest used to bring him up t’north east.
Or at least try for a loan.
Ron Knee
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:27 AM
Comment #14EGB@13
We can but dream!
bettyswallocks
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Comment #15https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/man-milking-cow-9735100.jpg
Ashley will be trying to milk the cow for sure as Jesper suggests but Amanda will be ready to kick him in the heed if he pulls the teets too hard.
booboo
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Comment #16Jail for Ashley
john carver couldn’t coach a dog to
sit down thats how bad he was
hope he likes cats LOL
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Comment #17On a more serious note, that piece Lesh or was it hibbit posted a link to about the leaks of the take over deal also mentioned that the chances of the deal being concluded were rather slim…
…the exclusive periods takes about 30 days and we enter that period then a deal has been reached!
…so time is running out if we are expecting Rafa to get some serious money in January for reinforcements!
mactoon
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:46 AM
Comment #18JfA Comment#5 just about nails it for me. Rafa will be given a meagre kitty from which he will need to buy several players which means buy ONE of his top targets or SEVERAL of the cheaper targets lower down his list. #Joselu
No way will he spend money when actively trying to sell the club.. if that’s what’s even happening.
ShirebrookToon
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Comment #19This is what I’ve got so far
Nothing had changed doesnt know why they’ve changed the plans.
Apparently fat Mike is trying for more cash if we get champions league football within a certain amount of time.
But doesn’t wanna pay relegation fines if we go down.
So they’re in discussions about that.
And money coming out of club that’s already been paid.
ST’s, shirt sponsorship, etc etc.
All up in the air about all that
Reilly
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Comment #20https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/662122/Newcastle-takeover-Mike-Ashley-Amanda-Staveley-PCP-Sports-Direct-branding
benjohnsen
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:51 AM
Comment #21Why would he leave Besiktas in the middle of the season, having just qualified for the knockout stage in CL to join Newcastle, when several PL clubs are interested? If he keeps performing he will attract interest in the summer window anyway. Yes, his salary will increase, but he can perhaps get an even higher salary in the summer. Doesn’t make sense, but then again what makes sense in football these days.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:53 AM
Comment #22Well didn’t Ashley’s lawyer say that if a deal couldn’t be struck before Christmas then Ashley would take the club off the marked? If so…
then mactoon…Ashley will not actively be seeking to sell the club any more!
yorkymag
Nov 23, 2017 at 10:55 AM
Comment #23Shire brook
So everything has changed
You are a storyteller of some considerable size
jimmygscot
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:02 AM
Comment #24Woke up this morning worried about the tough fixtures coming up, then i remembered Mackems are bottom of the Championship and Celtic (The Invincibles) were thrashed by PSG and now have a smile on my face for the rest of the day!!
HWTL.
ShirebrookToon
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:07 AM
Comment #25yorky
It’s all the advertising and branding that needs to be ironed out. Everything else is done.
Pay attention sunshine
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:07 AM
Comment #26Reilly…maybe Ashley is also take in to account the hiring of Wise and Kinnear as DoF and even Kinnear as manager along with Pardew, McClaren and Carver and not to mention two relegations!
Jail for Ashley
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Comment #27Shirebrook,
I honestly can’t see how advertising, shirt sales, catering etc comes in to it. We’re not his club anymore and for the agreed price end all association.
Fluffy handcuffs for Amanda
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #28Sadly not wot i heard.
yorkymag
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:12 AM
Comment #29Shirebrook
You are a storyteller making things up pretending you have inside info absolute nonsense
You are living in a parallel universe
Simply using public info and adding a little shirebrook licence to give you some sense of importance
ShirebrookToon
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #30Yorky
Your entitle to your opinion. That’s what you think the fair enough. Not gonna sit and argue about it. I’m just passing on info what I’ve been told.
JFA
Aye but it is Mike Ashley after all!
toonincheek
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #31Shire – ignore the WUMs.
It seems illogical to me that Ashely should think
there is any way he should get extra if we make it
to CL since that would depend entirely on post-
sale management and transfers.
On the other hand, the possibility of relegation
this season would be down to Ashley’s policy of
not buying players.
toonincheek
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Comment #32Jail –
Surely buying the club would be based on all
existing arrangements/contracts continuing.
The Club has entered into deals with S D.
For sure, they need to be cancelled but those
items are separate from the Club itself..
Jail for Ashley
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Comment #33toonincheek,
What deals, free advertising, what kind of deal is that. Massively reduced prices for catering companies owned by MASH or some obscure umbrella company etc. It all needs to end.
Ron Knee
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Comment #34Maybe PCP will have to ease the Fat Slug out. A price worth paying!
lesh
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Comment #35Ashley’s greed’s astonishing.
He makes a mess of the Club and then wants a slice of any success? Incredible!
It’d be good if PCP just offered him £350m cash and told him to take it it leave it. If he needs the cash……
And Jesper, ’twas I that posted the Chronic article and it could be that the parties are covering some if the legal due diligence issues during this round of talks?
And as for both parties being concerned about media leaks that could scupper any deal, I wonder whether the potential property buyer that’s competing with Ashley might have something to do with the leaks?
Just a thought
geordiemark
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Comment #36I agree with jail here, Ashley has to go full stop, no advertising no nothing, I don’t really listen to rumours what people know and other things, when something is announced then ill take notice, I do know one thing though Ashley cant come back from this he has tried this to many times hes taken the club and the fans for granted for 10 years now, if all this goes pair shaped Ashley is finished, fans will leave in there droves fans had enough, my advice to Ashley take the money and run Newcastle united doesn’t need your kind
Ron Knee
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Comment #37geordiemark
The trouble is although Ashley has proved to be a useless owner, he’s also extremely stubborn.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:44 AM
Comment #38I honestly don’t see how we can continue as a “big” club if this doesn’t happen.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:45 AM
Comment #39Ron
Maybe this time, his choices are limited
posada
Nov 23, 2017 at 11:45 AM
Comment #40What happened at yesterdays press conference.
Did I miss it.